Quiz: Are You on the Path to Burnout?

Assess yourself in six areas to identify potential problems in the workplace

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The average American works 46.7 hours a week. Given how much time people spend on the job, it is little wonder that workplace stressors and dissatisfaction can drain well-being. Burnout is not the same as feeling down or having a bad day. It is a chronic state of being out of synch with your job. You may feel continually exhausted. Your passion for a project may fade. You may become cynical and lose confidence in your work.

To determine if you are at risk, take the test below. You will receive a score that rates your own level of satisfaction with six key aspects of your work environment: workload, control, reward, community, fairness and values. A major problem in one or more of these areas can put you on the path to burnout.

Michael P. Leiter is a former professor of psychology at Acadia University and St. Mary's University, both in Nova Scotia. He also runs a private consulting company.

More by Michael P. Leiter

Christina Maslach is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.

More by Christina Maslach
SA Mind Vol 26 Issue 1This article was published with the title “Quiz: Are You on the Path to Burnout?” in SA Mind Vol. 26 No. 1 ()
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican012015-3k1FhAf9bzYdOQcoI6u79S

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