The concept of emotional burnout at work in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon everyday live alongside the conditions of isolation with even more tasks to be accomplished, testify to the high level of distress faced by every employee. There is an inextricable link between the increased number of workers experiencing emotional burnout and the conditions of self-isolation due to the pandemic. Thus, the subject of this research is the factors that have a direct impact upon the emotional state of young professionals and university students, as well as possible consequences of the emotional burnout. The scientific novelty lies in comprehensive analysis of the emotional and professional types of burnout, as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which inflicted a severe blow to the most vulnerable link – knowledge workers. This group faced an overwhelming stress at work and studying even prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. In recent years, the situation has worsened: an increasing number of people identify themselves as emotionally burned out, and many blame the pandemic. The author conducted the survey “Symptoms of the Job Burnout Questionnaire” among the students and young professionals of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. The results, as well as effective methods of coping with emotional burnout during the pandemic, are presented in this research.