In Eswatini, failure to take leave raises burnout concerns
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Times of Eswatini
Illustrative image · Yan Krukau · Pexels · Licence PexelsSharon Maziya, president of Eswatini’s Institute of People Management, says repeated failure to take leave should alert employers to staff wellbeing. At a conference in Ezulwini, occupational psychologist Carla Dos Santos also urged managers to recognise the effects of pressure and excessive responsibilities, according to the Times of Eswatini.
In Eswatini, Sharon Maziya, president of the Institute of People Management (IPM), is urging employers to investigate when an employee never takes leave, rather than automatically interpreting this availability as proof of commitment. She was speaking at the IPM’s annual conference at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, the Times of Eswatini reports.
Work and organisational psychologist Carla Dos Santos also urged human resources managers to identify subtle signs of prolonged stress. Withdrawal, forgetfulness, irritability, fatigue, absenteeism, declining performance or, conversely, excessive work and constantly checking emails can signal distress, according to the Times of Eswatini.
Carla Dos Santos explained that prolonged stress affects the body and mind and makes it harder to return to a calm state. She called on organisations to take into account the workload borne by employees who informally act as mediators, provide psychological support or serve as intermediaries between management and staff, the newspaper reports.
