Job Burnout among Public Service Professionals

Paper Summary:

This paper states that the objectives of this study are not only to identify what factors cause burnout in public service professionals, but also to determine if there is a correlation between using sick time and experiencing burnout. The author points out that the initial review of literature suggests (1) burnout is a serious problem; (2) job factors such as years of service, age, sex, type of work, depression, amount of client contact, overtime, low job satisfaction, and dissatisfaction with clients; (3) a correlation between sick time and burnout; and (4) burnout occurring at any time. The paper states that the study attempts to support each of these hypotheses through actual interviews with public service professionals and a review of additional literature.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Problem
Hypothesis of the Study
Objective of the Study
Methodology
Scope and Delimitation
Definition of Terms
Literature Review
Basic Assumptions

From the Paper:

"The desire to make a positive difference to other people's lives is the main reason why people chose to work in the public sector, according to the government's public spending watchdog. However, a report by the audit commission found that 42% of staff in health, local government, education and other public services cited the aim of helping others as the main or secondary reason for choosing their job. The report also revealed that 28% of public services workers had held a long-term ambition to enter their chosen profession, with a further 24% saying they considered the work inherently interesting. Former public services workers reported that stress was the single biggest factor in their decision to leave their job, with nearly 80% citing overwhelming bureaucracy, paperwork and government targets as the main reason for feeling under pressure. Nearly 70% blamed their stress on a lack of resources, while 65% cited excessive workloads, 56% on not being valued by the government, 55% on the pace of change within their profession, and 49% on not being valued by their managers."

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