What is burnout?
As a Tusla Employee, it is important to be aware of burnout.
Burnout can be defined as a state of physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual exhaustion resulting from chronic exposure to working with people who are vulnerable or suffering.
Working with people with complex needs can and does have an impact on the worker and this needs to be acknowledged and actively managed.
The potential impact of not adequately managing your stress or not developing and maintaining consistent healthy escape routes is ‘burning out’. The consequences of this are a loss of energy, enthusiasm and confidence.
Stress causes
Many different things in life can cause stress. Some of the main sources of stress include:
• Work.
• Finances.
• Relationships.
• Parenting.
• Day-to-day inconveniences.
Identifying burnout
Burnout can build up slowly during times of stress, without us even realising.
Recognising these signs can help you to seek support before you become depleted.
• Harder to concentrate.
• Emotional or physical exhaustion.
• Feeling disconnected/detached.
• Reduced confidence.
• Irritability.
• Decreased motivation.
Any worker can experience these feelings at times.
If you notice a few of these signs happening at the same time, it may be an indicator to reach out for support.
Second-hand stress
It is also important to be aware of second-hand stress and how it can add to our stress levels. Knowing your stress style is one way to catch yourself before you overreact to those stressful vibes around you.
Worrying about other people’s problems, rushing because someone else is, or, feeling jittery without knowing why, are examples of second-hand stress. Instead of taking on someone else’s stress use compassion and understanding. We all have stressful times think how you would want people to react to you – with kindness and understanding.
Access EAP
The Employee Assistance Programme is a national independent service that is available free of charge to all employees of Tusla.
Take that first step in getting the support you need. A staff member can self-refer to EAP by contacting the service directly.
There may be times when line management or HR becomes aware that something is impacting on you and/or your performance in the workplace and may signpost support available to you from the EAP service.
It may be in your interest to avail of the support of the EAP as it provides you with an opportunity to discuss matters confidentially, which might have a bearing on your circumstances.
You will be treated respectfully. You can expect the highest standards of professionalism in a service where your wellbeing is supported at a time of difficulty.
The EAP is intended as a short-term service and as such a limit of 6 sessions applies. This may be open for an extension if recommended by your counsellor and will be arranged by them.
This is a 24/7 accessible service.
Normal professional standards apply in relation to confidentiality.
Self-care
Regular self-care maintenance is essential to prevent burnout.
Self-care is anything that brings you a sense of calm and relaxation or adds value to your life,
It helps you to manage and cope with difficult times and emotions when they arise.
Suggestions to support your health and wellbeing as a professional:
• Maintain routines.
• Create clear boundaries - home and work.
• Develop healthy habits e.g. exercise, healthy eating.
• Manage your stress – take time out!
• Ask for and accept help!
Let’s work together, to help each other.
How Tusla can help
The Health, Wellbeing and EAP Service is a national service which offers support to all Tusla employees free of charge.
There is a range of free and confidential staff supports including EAP counselling (3rd party provider), a suite of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services, and a range of Health and Wellbeing supports. It also serves as a consultancy to managers on staff wellbeing issues.
For more help or advice please contact:
Tusla Health Wellbeing and EAP Service: 086 1438390
EAP Counselling Service: 1800 817435
Email: EAP@Tusla.ie
Web: www.tusla.ie/health-wellbeing-and-eap/
Our mission statement
Health Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes will provide the necessary systems and processes to enable and support all staff to reach and maintain their full potential in the workplace and thus deliver high quality services.
www.tusla.ie