Rustout

Essentially this refers to someone who has become ‘bored’ in the workplace or in their career, leading to apathetic feelings such as sleepiness, depression, alienation, and self-isolation.

Why does rust out occur….

• Lack of diversity in a role can lead to high levels of boredom, which in turn over time can lead to stress.
• When you are never challenged in your job, the tasks become
• Feeling underwhelmed in your job, due to a lack of new opportunities, promotions, or rewards.
• After a big project has finished up in your work you may be ‘side-lined’ for a long period of time as the work tasks have dried up.

Rust out vs burnout……

• Think of rust-out as a cousin of burnout
• Burnout is extreme mental and physical exhaustion caused by being overworked.
• Burnout occurs when we have too many demands and not enough resources.
• Rust out contrasts this by feelings of being ‘underworked’, lack of challenges and new responsibilities within your role.
• Rust out in contrast again occurs when we have sufficient resources but not enough challenges to use them.

What to do if you’re experiencing rust out…..

• Talk to your manager/employer. Communicate with them that you are bored within your role and need to be challenged to make your work fulfilling.
•   Consider if this is a long-term situation or something that may be resolved more quickly. For instance, if a big work project has just finished you may experience feelings of rust-out, but you know there is another project happening in a few weeks.

• Long term rust-out, seek new employment. Look for a job that will constantly challenge you in healthy ways to maximise your job fulfilment.