World Mental Health Day: Burnout or Just a Bad Week? How to Tell the Difference
UNDERSTANDING OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND HOW EMPLOYERS CAN HELP PREVENT BURNOUT
Most of us experience stressful periods at work.
A difficult week, an approaching deadline or an unusually heavy workload can leave employees feeling tired, frustrated or under pressure.
But when that pressure becomes prolonged, it can begin to affect both physical and mental health.
Work-related stress remains a significant issue across UK workplaces. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an estimated 964,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25, resulting in 22.1 million working days lost. These conditions accounted for 52% of all work-related ill health during the year.
So, when does a bad week become something more serious — and what can employers do about it?
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL STRESS?
The HSE defines work-related stress as the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them at work.
Some pressure at work is normal. The problem arises when pressures become excessive, prolonged or difficult to manage.
Burnout is associated with chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It can leave someone feeling physically and emotionally exhausted and increasingly disconnected from their work. Signs can vary between individuals, but employers and employees should pay attention when changes in wellbeing or behaviour persist.
For anyone concerned about their mental health or stress at work, the HSE provides practical guidance on recognising and addressing work-related stress.
👉HSE: Work-related stress and how to manage it
WHAT DOES BURNOUT LOOK LIKE?
To understand some of the signs and the support available, we spoke with Hanna Kotava, TA Psychotherapist, MSc in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy.
What symptoms of burnout do people most commonly overlook?
“Very often, people reach out when their work-related stress has reached the level of burnout — a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion.
“Some of the most common symptoms people overlook start with a loss of concentration and motivation.”
What type of professional support can be offered?
“Professional support, such as counselling sessions, can offer a safe and supportive space where employees can talk about their concerns, feelings and triggers at work. Together with a therapist, they can develop a plan that may be beneficial for their daily life.
“In my view, it is important to speak with the person individually and work on a plan that reflects their needs, as what is beneficial for one person may not be beneficial for another.
“Supportive peer groups can also be beneficial in the workplace, giving people an opportunity to discuss their concerns and difficulties with others. Employers can also invite professionals to run workshops or educational sessions around work-related stress and how to manage it.”
Can you offer advice to someone approaching an employer about burnout?
“I would encourage them to be honest with their employer about how they are feeling and discuss what could help to reduce their level of stress. They can also ask about any resources or support the company offers.
“In my experience, workplace issues such as difficult relationships with managers, conflict, bullying, feelings of injustice, disappointment and frustration, as well as company politics, can be significant triggers for work-related stress.
“In these situations, it is important for employees to know where they can access confidential support. This could include an employee helpline, seeking advice from their union, or contacting an independent organisation such as ACAS, which provides free workplace advice.”
👉 ACAS: Free workplace advice and support
WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO TO PREVENT BURNOUT?
Employers have a responsibility to assess risks to employees' health from work-related stress and take steps to control those risks.
Prevention does not necessarily require complicated initiatives. It begins with understanding where pressure is coming from and creating a workplace where employees feel able to raise concerns.
Managers and business owners can consider:
holding regular conversations with employees about workload and wellbeing;
ensuring workloads, responsibilities and deadlines are realistic;
giving employees appropriate support and control over how they carry out their work;
dealing with conflict, bullying or poor workplace relationships promptly;
making employees aware of confidential support available to them; and
providing access to occupational health, counselling, employee assistance programmes or other professional support where appropriate.
There is still a gap between recognising the importance of workplace mental health and putting formal support in place.
The DWP Employer Survey 2024 found that 65% of employers believed workplaces should provide mental health support, while only 31% had systems in place for assessing and monitoring employees' mental wellbeing.
For businesses, the HSE provides practical guidance and tools to help employers identify and manage work-related stress.
👉 HSE: Managing stress and mental health at work
CONCLUSION: A SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACE STARTS WITH COMMUNICATION
Burnout rarely appears overnight. Recognising the signs of occupational stress early can help prevent pressures from becoming more serious.
At VOSCAP, supporting wellbeing goes beyond the working day. Alongside team activities such as our summer BBQs and social events, colleagues and their families have access to our Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme — a free and confidential service available 24/7. The programme provides professional support and counselling, as well as guidance on mental and physical wellbeing, financial and legal concerns, family matters and other personal challenges.
This World Mental Health Day, the message is simple: don't wait until stress reaches breaking point to start the conversation. Support is available, and asking for it can be an important first step.
If you found Hanna's insights helpful and would like to speak with her directly, you can contact Hanna Kotava at kotava2005@gmail.com.
For business support contact our team today:
📞 020 7769 6831 | ✉️ help@voscap.co.uk | 🌐 voscap.co.uk
This article is intended as general information and should not be treated as medical advice. Anyone concerned about their mental health should seek appropriate professional support.
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