‘Burnout leave’ for city gov’t workers proposed

Iloilo City Hall. PANAY NEWS PHOTO
Iloilo City Hall. PANAY NEWS PHOTO

ILOILO City – Councilor Candice Magdalene Tupas has proposed an ordinance granting “stress/burnout leave” to regular employees of the city government.

It hurdled first reading in the Sangguniang Panlungsod and was referred to the city council’s committee on health chaired by Councilor Alan Zaldivar for further study.

May times kasakit sang tiyan naton and we don’t understand why. We have this trangkaso nga wala man kita cold and cough but we don’t feel well. Of course, secondary to stress, a burnout. I think we should be allowed to take a leave just for a day or two nga indi kita madulaan obra because indi tsakto ang rason,” said Tupas, a physician.

Citing an international journal, Tupas said a burnout is a medical condition.

“Not all of us can handle daily stress well. What are we supposed to do before taking a leave of absence,” asked Tupas.

She proposed that the concerned city government employee see city health officers and consult.

“A medical certificate may be issued so that the employee could get his stress leave,” said Tupas.

A burnout may be caused by depression, too, and needs to be addressed properly, she added.

“I think it’s a new condition. Sang una indi guro normal ang burnout but now people are aware of the stresses we have in life. We are trying to control depression which can cause other problems like anger going out of hand or suicide,” said Tupas.

According to the US-based 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.

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit academic medical center based in Rochester, Minnesota focused on integrated clinical practice, education, and research. It is ranked No. 1 in the United States on the 2018–2019 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll, maintaining a position at or near the top for more than 27 years.

According to Mayo Clinic, “burnout” isn’t a medical diagnosis. Some experts think that other conditions, such as depression, are behind burnout.

Whatever the cause, job burnout can affect your physical and mental health.

JOB BURNOUT SYMPTOMS

According to Mayo Clinic, ask yourself:

* Have you become cynical or critical at work?

* Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?

* Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?

* Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?

* Do you find it hard to concentrate?

* Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?

* Do you feel disillusioned about your job?

* Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?

* Have your sleep habits changed?

* Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, according to Mayo Clinic, you might be experiencing job burnout. Consider talking to a doctor or a mental health provider because these symptoms can also be related to health conditions, such as depression./PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here