Topic 01: How to Identify Work-Related Stress and Burnout
This topic equips learners with the knowledge to recognize the early signs and symptoms of work-related stress and burnout, both in themselves and others. It clearly explains the differences between stress—which is often acute and linked to short-term demands—and burnout, a chronic condition resulting from prolonged exposure to stress. Participants will learn to identify physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of each, such as headaches, irritability, emotional exhaustion, forgetfulness, detachment, and reduced job performance. Understanding these early warning signs is essential for taking timely action and preventing more severe health and productivity issues.
The course explores the main causes and risk factors behind workplace stress and burnout, including excessive workload, lack of control, poor work-life balance, insufficient resources, unclear job expectations, and toxic organizational culture. Learners will also discuss the consequences of unmanaged stress—not only for personal well-being, but also for team dynamics, productivity, absenteeism, and employee turnover. The phenomenon of “quiet quitting” and “loud quitting” is covered as a form of coping, highlighting the importance of early intervention and open communication.
Through practical and reflective activities, learners are encouraged to assess their own experiences, recognize their triggers, and create personalized action plans for stress management and burnout prevention. The topic provides managers with concrete strategies to prevent burnout in their teams—such as regular check-ins, fostering open communication, promoting work-life balance, and offering support resources. Ultimately, this unit empowers both employees and leaders to create healthier, more resilient workplaces by identifying and addressing stress before it escalates.
