Casting a Wider Net: On the Utilitarian Nature of Burnout Assessment in the Workplace

Abstract

Some consider the burnout label to be controversial, even calling for the abandonment of the term in its entirety. In this communication, we argue for the pragmatic utility of the burnout paradigm from a utilitarian perspective, which advocates the greatest good for the most significant number of employees in organisations. We first distinguish between mild work-related burnout complaints and more severe burnout that can be identified in some contexts. We address the classification of burnout as an ‘occupational phenomenon’ by the World Health Organization and its ambiguous status in the ICD-11, highlighting the challenge of universally diagnosing burnout as a condition. We argue that a purely clinical approach might be too reactive as it normally only identifies employees with a diagnosable condition. We posit that early detection of burnout through valid assessment can identify struggling employees who do not yet have a diagnosable condition. This proactive approach can help prevent escalation into mental health crises and is more sensible for organisations in terms of effectiveness and employee retention.