Fatigue, stress and burnout

Queensland Health employees may experience periods of high demand, pressure and change that can contribute to fatigue, stress and burnout. While these experiences can affect anyone, prolonged exposure without appropriate support can impact wellbeing, performance, safety and workplace relationships.

As a Leader, you play an important role in recognising potential signs, addressing workplace factors where possible, and supporting employees to access appropriate resources and support.

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Fatigue, stress and burnout

Fatigue, stress and burnout are related but are not the same thing.

  • Fatigue is a state of physical, mental or emotional exhaustion that can reduce a person's ability to work safely and effectively. It may be caused by factors including workload, shift work, long hours, inadequate rest or personal circumstances.

  • Stress is a normal response to pressure or challenging situations. While some stress can be manageable, prolonged or excessive stress can affect an employee's health, wellbeing and ability to perform their role.

  • Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that can result from prolonged workplace stress. It may be characterised by exhaustion, reduced motivation, disengagement and decreased effectiveness at work.

Key considerations

  • Fatigue, stress and burnout can affect anyone, regardless of experience or role.

  • Signs and symptoms may vary between individuals.

  • Workplace and personal factors can both contribute to fatigue and stress.

  • Burnout often develops gradually over time rather than as a single event.

  • Early recognition and intervention can reduce impacts on wellbeing and performance.

  • Prevention is often more effective than responding once issues have escalated.

As a leader

  • Monitor workloads, work demands and team capacity.

  • Encourage employees to take breaks, leave and opportunities for recovery.

  • Recognise and respond to signs of fatigue, stress or burnout early.

  • Foster a psychologically safe environment where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges and seeking support.

  • Support flexible work arrangements where appropriate and operationally feasible.

  • Promote available wellbeing resources, employee assistance programs and support services.

Why it's important

  • Fatigue, stress and burnout can impact employee health, wellbeing and safety.

  • Employee wellbeing contributes to engagement, performance and retention.

  • Early intervention can help prevent issues from escalating and reduce their impact.

  • Managing fatigue and stress supports safe decision-making and quality service delivery.

  • Supportive workplaces contribute to psychological safety and resilience.

  • Healthy teams are better able to adapt to change and maintain sustainable performance.