This new “thing” seems to be popping up online. I’m not sure if you’d call it job shaming or effort shaming, but people are being called out for wanting to work harder.
Don’t get me wrong: burnout is real. No one wants to see anyone reach this stage.
But there’s a real difference between working because you have to and working because you enjoy your job.
Passion vs obligation
I spoke to a technical SEO professional, let’s call him Jo, as he wished to remain anonymous. He works for a fairly well-known SEO agency in the UK.
“I often work in the evenings or at weekends and I don’t see anything wrong with that. I love what I do and prefer to do certain types of tasks when it’s quiet,” he said.
But recently, Jo has felt that she has to hide the fact that she works outside of traditional working hours.
“I don’t mention it anymore. When I say something, the response I get is people’s concern. It’s weird to me, no one would say anything if you were learning a language or going to the gym.
I asked him about burnout and whether he felt pressure to work long hours.
“I think burnout is a buzzword now. I appreciate that some people feel pressured to work long hours or use work in a negative way, but why shame someone who wants to work ? It seems crazy to me.”
Go to any social media platform and you’ll find posts and videos from people talking about work-life balance, avoiding burnout, and maintaining wellness. These messages, while well-intentioned, seem to paint all extra work outside of normal hours as harmful, neglecting the joy it brings to some.
I, like many professionals, find personal satisfaction in my work. His story highlights a growing disconnect between society’s expectations and the individual’s work ethic.
“Work is not just a means to an end for me,” Jo explained. “It’s a passion. I don’t keep odd hours because I have to; I do it because that’s when I feel most productive and fulfilled.”
This emerging trend of “effort shaming” raises important questions about our attitudes toward work and leisure. While advocating for healthy work boundaries is crucial, there is a fine line between preventing burnout and undermining genuine enthusiasm for the profession.
In an age where personal and professional life are increasingly intermingled, the concept of work as a purely contractual obligation is becoming obsolete for some people.
Critics of this “shameful” new trend argue that it can deter people from pursuing excellence. There is a belief that people who are deeply engaged with their work often experience higher levels of satisfaction and mental well-being.
As we navigate these complex social dynamics, it is essential to foster a culture that respects different work styles and recognizes that work is more than just work for some.
The challenge is to balance mental health advocacy with respect for individual work preferences and motivations. Ultimately, understanding and flexibility may be the keys to effectively addressing the burnout and embarrassment of effort.
Delving Deeper: The Secret to Work-Life Harmony in SEO: Setting Boundaries
Striking the right balance: signs of burnout
We have to be careful in finding this balance. It’s not always obvious if the love of work is tipping over into something more harmful. We can all be aware of our peers around us and be on the lookout for any warning signs.
Some of the signs to look out for include a noticeable drop in energy levels or enthusiasm compared to your usual self. They may begin to express a more pessimistic view of their work and life in general, often seeming irritable or unusually critical.
Isolation is another red flag; those suffering from burnout may begin to withdraw from social interactions, which may manifest as skipping team meetings or social gatherings they once enjoyed.
Your work performance could also suffer. Tasks that were once handled efficiently may now seem to overwhelm them, or you may notice an increase in errors or missed deadlines. It’s not just about being busy; it’s a deeper change in how they deal with everyday work pressures.
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Company role: To support the well-being of employees
Simon Rhind-Tutt of Relationship Audits believes that companies need to do a better job of identifying signs of burnout and supporting their staff and that many of them are currently not doing enough.
“We need to get better at detecting stress and identifying when the workload is too much, especially with the move to hybrid roles. Those who do it best are often in an operations manager-type role. That person has a greater understanding depth of how much work is involved in achieving the results.”
This can help prevent the workload from increasing too much before it becomes a problem.
Burnout is a real problem, but it can be very difficult for many managers to tell the difference between someone who thrives on long hours and those who feel obligated to maintain a certain standard in order to stay on top of what is often a unattainable task list every day
I asked Rhind-Tutt what approach companies could take to better demonstrate what is expected and what is not.
“It is up to business leaders to make it clear that their teams are not required to work outside of contracted hours. It’s also helpful to have trusted eyes and ears on each team who can identify those who are struggling. Finally, an open reporting system should be encouraged so that people can be honest about how much work they can do to maintain quality.”
Acknowledge the exhaustion within yourself
Identifying burnout in ourselves requires a self-awareness that can sometimes be clouded by the stress we’re trying to manage. It often begins subtly, appearing as a series of bad days that gradually morph into constant weariness and disillusionment.
Initially, you may notice a significant drop in energy levels. This isn’t just the usual tiredness at the end of the day or the feeling you get after a meeting with a particularly difficult client; it’s a deep exhaustion that doesn’t seem to go away with rest. You wake up as tired as when you went to bed and your reserves feel perpetually low.
Things can also start to change emotionally. You may feel more cynical and less hopeful about your work.
Tasks and projects that once sparked interest or pride may now evoke a sense of dread or an attitude of contempt. You might feel unusually irritable, especially about aspects of your job that used to be manageable or even enjoyable.
This is very different from the scenario Jo describes, where she is excited about work and eager to get her laptop out.
Another indicator that things have gone too far is a sense of detachment that wasn’t there before. This can mean isolating yourself from colleagues and dreading interactions involving your work. You feel like you’re just going through the motions, like you’re watching yourself from a distance, unable to fully engage with your role.
Performance will certainly take a hit as well. You may notice a decrease in your productivity or the quality of your work. It becomes harder to concentrate, and procrastination can begin, not out of laziness but as a form of avoidance.
All of these affect your overall vision. You may begin to question the value of your work or feel stuck in a loop, wondering if anything really matters. This is a strong sign that your commitment to your work is not only waning, it is being worn to the point of breaking.
Recognizing these signs is crucial, not only for your professional life, but for your overall well-being. Identifying early burnout can help you mitigate its impact by adjusting your workload, seeking support, or finding new strategies to bring meaning to your work and life.
If you find yourself in this position, talk to your line manager and if you’re not getting the support you need, take it higher. It’s too important a topic to keep hidden. It’s something that’s only going to get worse if it’s not addressed.
Dig deeper: How to avoid search marketing burnout
Create a healthier work environment
It’s ironic that this “work shame” trend only adds stress and overwhelm to those who simply love what they do. This connotation aligns with the culture of hustle and bustle of no sleep, high levels of productivity, and time for little else.
But working long hours doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life!
“I spend a lot of time with people I like, inside and outside of work. Just because I work hard doesn’t mean I don’t have time for other things. I read a lot and spend time with friends and family. I just don’t spend hours in front of the TV all night, I prefer to take my laptop and work on something that I find meaningful. This does not mean that watching TV is bad. It’s not how I choose to spend my time,” says Jo.
Maybe that’s the difference: working long hours because you want to and getting massive satisfaction doing it.
On the other hand, feeling pressured to work long hours or knowing that you won’t get the job if you don’t because your workload is too high are very different scenarios.
So instead of shaming, why don’t we recognize and support those who struggle at work and those who want to do more? We are all different people who have different ambitions and goals in life.
We can all do more to appreciate and accept each person, regardless.
It could be argued that it is the company’s responsibility to ensure that, as far as possible, their staff feel valued and appreciated and not steered towards an unhealthy relationship with work.
But it is also the responsibility of each of us to do the same. By respecting and looking out for our colleagues, we can all create a much healthier culture at work and at home.
Deeper: Understanding Silent Abandonment in SEO: The Silent Exodus
The views expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.
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