The War Against Burnout
BY JOSH CORMAN
“ THE EVIDENCE IS THERE that people are tired of feeling disconnected and burned out , and they are seeking a more balanced and health-forward work situation .” 1 These are the words of organizational psychologist Constance Noonan Hadley , and they likely come as no surprise to those in the spa industry who have navigated its recruitment and retention landscape over the past several years . Burnout , after all , became something of a buzzword as the Great Resignation rumbled on during the pandemic , and for an industry facing staffing shortages along with sky-high demand , it has likely never been more relevant for spa leaders and their teams .
The symptoms of burnout are specific and consistent , and becoming familiar with them can help leaders identify when they or their team members may be suffering from it . Given the workloads many spa professionals are facing at the moment and the ever-greater importance of employee retention , striking a blow against burnout is a major win for any spa .
Energy Depletion and Exhaustion l A long day at work , or one filled with challenging guests or unforeseen issues is bound to leave employees tired out . But an employee experiencing burnout will feel more chronic , nonspecific exhaustion . According to Hadley ,“ It doesn ’ t go away after a vacation , and it is not tied to a particular project or deadline . It feels like a persistent fog weighing you down mentally and physically .”
Depersonalization and Cynicism l Many spa professionals enter into the industry to serve others and contribute meaningfully to their health and well-being . But burnout can erode those sentiments and leave employees feeling detached from , and even cynical toward , their profession .“ Simply put ,” says Hadley ,“ what used to motivate and inspire you about your job no longer has the same effect .” For example , a doctor suffering from burnout may feel less empathetic toward their patients and doubt that their work makes any real difference in the world .
Reduced Efficacy l A drop in work performance is the third component of burnout . It ’ s important to note that this drop can take different forms . In some cases , an employee ’ s faltering performance may be noticeable to other colleagues or their supervisors , but in many cases , employees may
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