The whole financial sector has lived through interesting times during COVID – but it’s been particularly difficult in pensions, with customer anxieties running understandably high. If constant stress is starting to feel like the new normal, you need to read this.
The economic and health worries of the pandemic, compounded by many people's traumatic experiences of social isolation and bereavement, have led to record numbers of people reporting career burnout. Many in the pensions industry feel they're lucky to have a job in such uncertain times so they have to keep grinding away, but there's also a lot going on outside work that's making it unusually difficult to perform.
Burnout, defined as an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, is a common experience for people in all professions, especially caring and customer-facing ones. It doesn't necessarily mean you're in the wrong career – you may just need to change your approach.
9 tips to deal with burnout
Own it
The first step is understanding that you're experiencing burnout and acknowledging it. Common indicators include depression, irritability, a sudden increase in frequency of physical illness, not feeling rested after sleep or difficulty sleeping.
Communicate
Reach out to your boss or someone in the HR department. Frame it in a respectful and professional way as trying to do the best thing for the whole team and suggest solutions in line with your benefits. Have a plan of what you'd like to do before you talk to anybody; good managers will recognise that you're taking a positive step.
Take time off
The benefits of taking periodic time off work are well known. While you may not have the option of a two-week paid vacation, try to give yourself as much of a breather as you can.
Reflec
While you're taking time off, take time to reflect and consider why you chose the career path you did and what you once liked about your job. Try journalling about it in a gratitude-focused or an emotionally neutral way, standing back and avoiding getting too sunk into the negativity of the situation.
Delegate
Take stock of all your duties at work and really ask if it's too much for one person to handle. Make a list, and circle things to talk with your boss or colleagues about delegating or changing.
Say no
Work on getting more comfortable saying no when there's too much on your plate. Your managers and colleagues need you fit to do your job for the long haul more than they need you to do that one extra thing right now.
Organise your workspace
Mess and chaos not only waste your time and make things difficult to find, they’re also depressing. Set aside some time to get your desk, office, or study set up the way that works for you and makes you feel good. Check out the book Joy at Work by Marie Kondo for ideas.
Make time to relax
Make some time during breaks in your workday to deliberately calm down and centre your thoughts. Try downloading the Headspace meditation app or getting out for a short walk.
Draw a boundary
Don't let work get into your non-work life. Don't answer emails outside business hours, and don't spend time worrying about work tasks when you're with your children. At the office or at home, the workday ends at 5.