Job stress can be short-term (acute) and resolve quickly, but if it becomes persistent, it turns into chronic stress (burnout), which lasts weeks, months, or longer, leading to serious physical/mental health issues like anxiety, heart disease, and depression, requiring significant time off (weeks/months) for recovery, depending on severity and employer support.
Handling job burnout
A 3-month probationary period is a standard trial period for employers to assess a new hire's suitability for a role. Probationary periods may be used for new hires, promotions, poor performance management, and potential terminations.
Physical signs of stress
42% – that's the percentage of time your body and brain need you to spend resting. It's about 10 hours out of every 24. By prioritising rest, we can improve our ability to cope with stress, reduce the risk of burnout, and enhance our overall well-being.
Symptoms of work-related stress
Before you resign, evaluate your professional and personal circumstances. Consider whether you are feeling burned out because of a particularly demanding season that is temporary or if your situation is unlikely to change. Leaving your job can have a significant impact on your living situation, family and lifestyle.
Recognize – Watch for the warning signs of burnout. Reverse – Undo the damage by seeking support and managing stress. Resilience – Build your resilience to stress by taking care of your physical and emotional health (i.e. physical activity, proper nutrition, stress management and good sleep habits)
Most people agree that five years is the max amount of time you want to stay in the same job at your company. Of course, this answer changes depending on your pre-established career arc and the promotions within your company.
This is where the 70% rule comes in—a powerful job-search strategy that encourages you to apply for roles where you meet at least 70% of the listed criteria. Here's why it works: Your Skills Are More Transferable Than You Think.
Here's our comprehensive guide to help you spot a potential bad employer before you take a job that could turn into an on-going nightmare.
25 Common red flags of an unhealthy work environment
Signs you are ready to leave your job
The biggest signs you should quit are consistent toxic behavior, zero growth opportunities no matter what you try, work that's actively hurting your physical or mental health, situations where you're being asked to compromise your values, and pay that's way below market with no real path to fix it.
6. You're emotionally exhausted.
Ideal shift schedule: Late-morning to evening shifts (9 AM–5 PM or 11 AM–7 PM) work best with their sleep cycle. If rotational shifts are necessary: A structured weekly rotation (rather than daily changes) gives your team time to adjust and minimizes sleep disruptions.
If the stress you are suffering is simply too much and affecting your health, you may wish to consider visiting your GP who can sign you off work until you have recovered fully.
According to the report, 488 million people worldwide have long working hours, and more than 745 000 people died in 2016 from heart disease and stroke related to working more than 55 hours per week. These figures make long working hours one of the biggest occupational health hazards.