Meet Rust-Out: Burnout's Very Bored Cousin
Imagine that your inbox is completely empty, and your to-do list is done and dusted. Work is quiet… maybe a little too quiet?
Boredom might sound appealing to those who are constantly rushed off their feet. But feeling underworked may be more common and far more damaging than you think. In fact, according to Gallup’s recent State of the Workplace report, a significant proportion of employees are not fully engaged in their work. Specifically, 85% of employees are unengaged, with 21% of those being actively disengaged. It's such a prolific problem that it even has a name: rust-out.
Rust-out vs. Burnout
If burnout is the overworked and stressed-out employee rushing between far too many tasks, then rust-out is their lethargic and unmotivated colleague.
The term, first coined by psychotherapist Paula Coles, refers to chronic boredom borne out of unstimulating work. In contrast, burnout is caused by overstimulation. And while it may sound contradictory, doing too little can be just as emotionally draining as doing too much.
Burnout and rust-out may have very different root causes, however, their symptoms can be surprisingly similar. Individuals suffering from rust-out may feel frustrated, agitated, or anxious, and they may put off doing tasks that don't motivate them. Long-term boredom can even affect your eating and sleeping patterns and cause depression if it is not addressed.
How to Recognise the Signs of Rust-Out
Most people experience boredom at work from time to time, but rust-out relates to chronic boredom that is so serious it can be detrimental to both your mental and physical health – it can even take years off your lifespan. It’s particularly common in young graduates, who often end up working in jobs for which they are overqualified. It can strike again for middle managers who have reached a glass ceiling in their career trajectory, stuck in endless meetings, unchallenged by the role, yet unable to progress.
Much like real rust, rust-out can linger below the surface and may not be immediately obvious. You may even mistake it for laziness. In fact, rust-out is often a sign that you've outgrown your role or responsibilities.
How to Combat Rust-Out
Whether you're struggling with rust-out yourself, or you manage someone else who is, spotting the early warning signs is the best way to tackle it before it spirals out of control.
Understand Your Values
A mismatch between company and personal values is one common reason for people to feel dissatisfied in their work. Think about the times in your life and career when you've felt the happiest, proudest, and most fulfilled.
Perhaps it’s when you've supported someone through a difficult period, solved a seemingly impossible problem, or closed a lucrative deal. Once you've determined what factors are most important to you, it becomes easier to prioritize these values and steer your career in the right direction.
Be Honest
When a job becomes boring or unfulfilling, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that it’s time for a move. But a new job isn't the only solution.
Be open with your manager about how you're feeling and discuss ways that you can incorporate more of what you really enjoy into your current role. You might find that there are more ways to tailor your job to your needs than you realize.
If you are a manager dealing with an unsatisfied employee, be compassionate and broach the subject carefully. Before suggesting solutions, reassure your team member that you are there to help and make sure you have a firm grasp of the issues they are having.
Discover Your Passions
Do you have any special skills that aren’t being utilized? For example, do you have a creative streak that's going unnoticed in an admin-heavy role? It's easy to lose motivation when our talents and interests are overlooked or undervalued.
Identify your strengths and consider whether there are ways that you could incorporate them into your current role. If this doesn’t appear to be an option, then it may be time to start investigating other positions and opportunities that may be better suited to your skill set.
It's a manager's role to ensure that everyone's jobs align with their strengths so keep an eye out for skills gaps in your teams. What new opportunities could your team members take on? What support or training would they need to develop? How can you help them achieve their goals?
The Silver Lining
Rust-out can feel like a dark cloud hanging over you, but the good news is that there is a silver lining. If you're feeling unfulfilled in your job, then now is a great opportunity to reassess your current position, immediate opportunities for growth, and long-term goals.
How can we help you?
Are you searching for a new and more challenging opportunity in the construction or engineering industry or a hiring manager in need of top talent for your team? Get in touch today getus@jamesgrayrecruitment.com