Staff

Job Burnout Among University of Lynchburg Faculty

Emily Santana, MPH Candidate, University of Lynchburg 

Dr. Jennifer Hall, EdD, MCHES

Background

According to the Mayo Clinic “Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity”. Experiencing prolonged workplace stress can lead to burnout. In a 2022 Gallup poll, over a third of college and university employees reported feeling burned out at work always or very often, and was the second highest industry in the U.S. workforce. 

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify if staff at the University of Lynchburg were experiencing job burnout and to what extent.

Methods 

A cross sectional survey was designed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory Tool and distributed to all staff members during the Fall of 2022 using the all staff and faculty listserv. Job stress was defined in the survey using Mayo Clinic’s definition of “a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity”. Descriptive and thematic analysis was used to summarize results.

Themes

Improving Transparency and Communication from Administration

• “Clear and honest communication from higher ups”

• “More clear honest answers that allow us to do our job without uncertainty even if the outlook isn’t great, we just want to know”

The Need for Stress-Relieving Activities

• “Small activities or events that allow us to step away from our normal day to day even if it's only 15 minutes”

• “Once per semester employee fun day on the Dell, during work hours (not geared towards children/families).  With activities like the mobile Ax Throwing trailer, dunk tank for executive administration, booth for smashing old china/glasses then partnering with the art department to make a mosaic from the pieces to display on campus.  Things that are fun and release pent up energy/frustrations”

The Desire to have Resources to Help Minimize Burnout and Improve Work-life Balance

• “Access to free or low-cost counseling on-campus; sincere employee appreciation programs…”

• More personal days for personal wellness and/or life issues”

 Staff Members Having to Take on More Work Due to Positions on Campus Being Vacant

• “When someone leaves, don't just add the job to someone else's plate. If we do, let's compensate that person. But generally asking people to do multiple jobs is a bad idea and will worsen employee retention”

• "As positions on campus are being left vacant, many employees are taking on extra work. Finding a way to fill positions or to right-size job expectations would help reduce burnout”

Conclusion

Job burnout was experienced by University of Lynchburg staff at the time of this survey. To help reduce burnout levels, educating staff members on how to identify burnout, improving transparent communication from administration, providing opportunities that can help relieve stress, implementing strategies to minimize the high demanding workload that staff are experiencing, and providing resources to improve work-life balance are recommended.