Engagement and Burnout in Times of COVID-19: A Comparative Analysis Based on Healthy Organizational Practices

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a closer examination of organizational management’s role in facilitating positive outcomes in the workplace. This study explores the relationship between perceptions of healthy organizational practices (HOP) and levels of engagement and burnout among workers. We applied surveys to 213 workers (66% women) from different sectors (health, education, and municipal) in a south-center region of Chile. The results align with the existing literature, showing a positive correlation between HOP and engagement and a negative correlation between HOP and burnout in the total sample. ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences among organizations. Workers in the education organization reported higher perceptions of healthy practices, as well as higher engagement and lower burnout levels. These findings highlight the education organization as a potential exemplar of a healthy workplace. The study underscores the importance of healthy practices in promoting employee well-being and offers insights into sector-specific dynamics. Organizations, particularly in health and municipal sectors, should prioritize strategies that foster healthy work environments and mitigate the risk of burnout among their workforce. The findings of this research corroborate that HOP contributes to the sustainability of a healthy workplace. It discusses the need to investigate complementary variables that will allow the development of a model for healthy and sustainable organizations tailored to the specific organizations and the culture of its people.