Work-Related Stress Burnout Creeps In, But You Can Stay Ahead of It

“It often starts out innocently,” says Lisette Willers, occupational physician at Capability. “Poor sleep, a full head, more mistakes than usual. And before you know it, you’ve hit the wall.”
Work-related stress burnout is a growing issue in the workplace, affecting both newcomers and seasoned professionals. So how can employers spot the early signs and prevent it? And what can employees do themselves? We asked Lisette.

What is burnout and why is it so impactful?

Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic work-related stress that has not been successfully managed. Symptoms include emotional exhaustion, growing mental distance from work, sleep problems, a constant sense of stress or pressure, and reduced professional effectiveness.

“Burnout is not a buzzword or a luxury problem,” says Lisette. “It’s a serious physical and mental exhaustion response after long-term overexertion. And it can happen to anyone.”

It’s often triggered by a combination of factors: “Ongoing workload pressure, personal stress, lack of autonomy, little recognition, high responsibility levels, and insufficient recovery time. People just keep pushing — until their body or mind slams on the brakes. And by then, it’s often too late.”

Spotting the signs: when should you speak up?

Burnout rarely comes out of nowhere. The signs are often there for weeks or even months — if you know what to look for. Especially team leaders can make a big difference.

“Look for behavioral changes,” Lisette explains. “Someone who’s usually energetic but suddenly goes quiet in meetings. More frequent sick days, falling behind on tasks, or becoming more emotional than usual. These aren’t overreactions — they’re red flags.”

She emphasizes that it’s important not to jump straight into fixing things, but to start with an honest conversation. “Ask open questions like: ‘How are you really doing?’ or ‘What would help you right now?’ Ask without judgment, with genuine curiosity.”
Even just feeling seen and heard can reduce stress. “People realize they don’t have to carry the weight alone. That makes it easier to ask for help and look for solutions together.”

A healthy work culture starts with normalizing recovery

Prevention starts with creating a culture where setting boundaries is the norm, Lisette explains. “If the unspoken rule is to always power through, people will do just that — until they break down.”
Managers have an important role here. “Show that it’s okay to take breaks, to say ‘no,’ and to slow down now and then.”

There are also practical tools available: think workload scans, regular check-ins, or a preventive consultation with a physician.
“Because of everyday busyness, the preventive side often gets overlooked. But if you invest in prevention early on, you can avoid a lot of suffering — and sick leave.”

Self-care is a serious strategy

What can employees do themselves? “Mostly: listen to your body,” says Lisette. “Many people already sense they’re overextended, but ignore the signs. Out of loyalty, or fear of judgment or consequences.”

Her advice: “Put yourself first. Schedule recovery time. Say no. And speak up — to your manager, a colleague, or a coach. You don’t have to do this alone.”

She shares the story of a woman who rebuilt her life after experiencing burnout.
“She worked in a high-pressure culture where pushing through was expected. After her recovery, she became much more attuned to her limits. Now, when her body says stop, she listens. She communicates openly and declines unreasonable deadlines.”

That wasn’t always easy: “At first, people pushed back. But now they respect her for it. She enjoys her work more than ever and feels stronger. That’s the power of self-care — not just to recover, but to come back stronger, even when the workplace doesn’t naturally support that.”

Employers as key players in sustainable employability

Burnout is not just an individual issue, Lisette emphasizes. “Recovery is faster when the work environment supports it.
By providing space for recovery, autonomy, and recognition, you’re investing not just in your people, but in the future of your business.”

And yes — the cliché is true: prevention really is better than cure. Especially when it comes to work-related stress burnout, where recovery can take months.

Ready to take action?

✅ Organize a preventive check-in with a case manager or occupational physician
✅ Build a culture of open conversations at work
✅ Watch for signs of overload — and take them seriously
✅ Encourage recovery time and boundary setting; make breaks non-negotiable
✅ Ask yourself: how sustainable is the workload, really?