In France, the syndrome is not recognized as an occupational disease, whereas it has been in Japan since 1970. But specialists know it well.
The syndrome, which until now mainly targeted employees whose activity involved significant relational contact such as teachers or medical professions, has affected all professional categories for ten years, according to specialists.
“Burn-out is a subject that must be tackled head-on, there have already been too many tragedies in the company“, warns Sébastien Busiris (FO). He pleads for its recognition as an occupational disease, like his trade union counterparts (CFDT, CGT, CFE-CGC) present at the conference organized by Jean-Claude Delgènes, director of the cabinet for the prevention of occupational risks Technologia.
The current professional context is hardening with “lasting mass unemployment, new work organizations aggravated by the demand for profitability, less and less realistic objectives and governance that does not respect people” explains Dr. Agnès Martineau-Arbes.
“Burnout is necessarily linked to work: it is a professional over-commitment characterized by emotional exhaustion, a loss of self-esteem and the dehumanization of the relationship with others.“, explained Doctor Agnès Martineau-Arbes.
For this occupational physician, the English term aptly sums up the condition of a person who “is consumed, physically and morally until total exhaustion, until having burned all its reserves“. It affects people.”extremely committed to their work and willing to do well“, she specifies.
Screening “is extremely complex, and once diagnosed, treatment is long and difficult,” warns Dr. Martineau-Arbes. “The return to work can sometimes take years. We do not come out unscathed from a burn-out, we keep traces and after-effects,” concludes the occupational physician.
“Exposed to permanent stress, the employee does not manage to drop out, increases the pace (…). He does more and more for less and less good results. Finally, the employee becomes convinced that he has become incapable of doing his job.“, summarizes Ms. Martineau-Arbes.
Employees close to burnout are often affected by sleep disorders, fatigue, loss of memory and concentration, depressive symptoms, back problems, ulcers, hypochondria, irritability and anxiety which can go as far as panic. There may also be overuse of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.
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