thrive at work/Resources/Guide
Burnout surveyvs capacity survey
The short answer
A burnout survey looks for exhaustion that is already there. A capacity survey shows how much energy people have left, so you can act before burnout. Use both ideas together: measure capacity by team, and use a burnout tool for individual follow-up.
What burnout is
The World Health Organization describes burnout through three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one's job or cynicism about it, and reduced professional efficacy.
Source: World Health Organization, burn-out an occupational phenomenon
Common burnout instruments
These four are used to assess burnout in individuals:
- Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI)Personal, work-related and client-related burnout.
- Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment.
- Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI)Exhaustion and disengagement from work.
- Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT)Exhaustion, mental distance, and cognitive and emotional impairment.
What a capacity survey adds
It reports Energy, Recovery, Focus and Resilience by team on a 0 to 100 scale, with team results shown only with at least 5 responses (other groups at least 10). It is an organizational indicator, not a diagnosis.
Which to use when
| Use a burnout instrument when | Use thrive at work when |
|---|---|
| A person needs individual follow-up. | Leaders need to see which teams are running low, and how that connects to engagement. |
What drives exhaustion at work
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 studies found that high demands, low job control, high workload, low reward and job insecurity increased the risk of developing exhaustion, while high job support and workplace justice were protective (Aronsson and colleagues, BMC Public Health, 2017).
The UK Health and Safety Executive groups the work-design causes of stress into six areas: Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role and Change.
Sources: Aronsson and colleagues, 2017 · HSE Management Standards
More in what causes employee burnout.
Questions
What is the difference between a burnout survey and a capacity survey?
A burnout survey looks for exhaustion that is already there. A capacity survey shows how much energy people have left, so you can act before burnout.
Is a capacity score a burnout diagnosis?
No. It is an organizational indicator reported by team, not a diagnosis.