Conscientious employees pay a high price for their dedication

Many Finns begin their annual leave burdened by "recovery debt," a consequence of inadequate daily rest. While holidays are often seen as a time to catch up on recuperation, the human body and mind require sufficient recovery opportunities every single day. Free time should not solely be for recovering from work but should be a valuable part of life for self-fulfillment and spending time with loved ones.

Workload stress arises from the physical, mental, and social demands placed on individuals at work. Excessive workload can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, manifesting in physical and emotional reactions, as well as changes in perception and behavior. When work consistently exceeds an employee's resources, the risk of burnout increases significantly.

Those who experience burnout often describe immense self-imposed pressure to perform exceptionally well and assist colleagues, with average performance rarely sufficing. "Good" employees are frequently "rewarded" with more challenging and extensive tasks due to the trust placed in them. Conscientious individuals, unwilling to refuse requests, gradually accumulate critical responsibilities and an overwhelming workload.

These trusted employees are also often assigned additional roles and responsibilities beyond their core duties. For instance, they might become health and safety representatives or union stewards, adding the promotion of workplace safety, health, equality, and advocacy to their personal workload, which can become disproportionate.

The article advises employees to assert themselves, seek help, and learn to prioritize, recognizing that "less can be more." It encourages reporting achievements to supervisors and proposing development ideas related to one's job and career. Employees should identify and nurture their work-related resources while ensuring sufficient recovery and time management for personal life. Supervisors are urged to develop their leadership skills, recognize employees as individuals, offer support, encouragement, and recognition, monitor well-being and workload, and address problems proactively. They should also utilize the expertise of occupational safety and health services and prioritize their own well-being. Meanwhile, elected representatives are advised to seek training, build support networks, and focus on solutions.