📋 What to expect
What is burnout?
Burnout is a multidimensional work-related exhaustion syndrome characterised by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (feeling depleted of resources), depersonalisation (cynical and detached attitude towards work and colleagues), and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. The WHO classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon in ICD-11 (2022). It increasingly affects workers, particularly in healthcare, education, and service sectors.
Warning signs to recognise
Early burnout warning signs include: chronic fatigue not recovered by sleep, growing irritability and cynicism, concentration and memory difficulties, feelings of inefficacy despite intense work, emotional detachment from work, physical symptoms (headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension), and progressive isolation. Excessive procrastination and unusual errors are also frequent signals.
About the OLBI test
This test uses the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), developed by Demerouti et al. (2003), a validated alternative to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The OLBI assesses two core dimensions: exhaustion (physical, cognitive, and emotional) and disengagement (affective and cognitive distancing from work). It is validated in clinical and organisational settings across many countries.