An overwhelming feeling, which consolidates week after week and leads to waver in a whirlwind of negativity in which thoughts are blurred: you lose clarity while tiredness and stress alter the sleep-wake cycle. The connection with the rest of the world becomes increasingly laborious and, slowly, turns off the spark of reasons that has always accompanied our days leaving room for feelings of anxiety, irritation and, finally, apathy.
What we have described coincides with the typical symptoms of Burnout syndrome (literally "exhausted") that the World Health Organization (WHO) has included in the International Classification of Disorders calling it a "conceptualized syndrome as a consequence of chronic stress in the workplace not managed successfully".
Burnout syndrome is marked in stages and is recognized as a typical phenomenon of the employment context that falls exclusively within the professional sphere.
Among the different factors triggering this condition we can indicate the undecent professional environment that, often, is accompanied by a lack of definition of the professional role from which arise conflicts triggered by job demands not feasible. Sometimes it is the overload of responsibility that leads to the intensification of symptoms, others the monotony that does not favour professional development or even non-flexible turnover.
Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the onset of this syndrome due to lack of definition between personal and professional boundaries in addition to the uncertainty that has pervaded all without distinction: In fact, Global Culture Report estimates reported a 15% increase in Burnout syndromes only in 2021. A significant number if we consider how fundamental it is to ensure the psychophysical health of each worker.
How can companies safeguard their employees today, triggering virtuous circles which at the same time promote the continuous development and innovation demand from the market?
Welfare Systems and Sustainability are the key words for companies that want to stand out and face the current change: We are talking about an approach that places people at the centre, which protects the wellbeing thanks to a good life-work balance that respects the needs of every human being.
Businesses are called to a deep action of Social responsibilityto ensure a balance between professional and private life, health and safety at work: conditions which are part of the standards of protection of workers and which, today, are a distinctive element in tackling change and being competitive on the market.
In the UN 2030 Agenda, point 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals includes the promotion of decent working conditions, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the development of entrepreneurship and decent professions for all: actions that cannot only remain on paper, but which must be deeply committed by all.
In 2021 the Welfare Index SMEs estimated that virtuous SMEs, from this point of view, in Italy have reached the 26,6%: about 9% more than 2017 estimates. Data that make you well hope, but which still indicate a long way to go to ensure good levels of reconciliation between people's private lives and work.
This time to invest resources and time to put the Human Capital at the centre with concrete actions to improve the corporate climate, to encourage the development of relational skills and Team Building that help manage and overcome conflicts and allow People to perceive personal and business results in line with their expectations.
