Date of Completion
4-2025
Document Type
Campus Access Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Education (MEd)
First Advisor
Dr. Carol Ann Sharicz
Abstract
Employee burnout is a prevalent issue across industries, impacting both individual well-being and organizational productivity. This action research roadmap project examines the impact of burnout on productivity through a qualitative study involving professionals from corporate marketing, higher education, government/public health, corporate analytics, accounting, technology, human resources, and product operations. Participants were interviewed and shared their experiences with burnout. They provided insight into situational triggers, support systems, and the impact of burnout on productivity. Findings highlight that burnout often appears gradually but can reach a critical tipping point, leading to emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and diminished task completion. Organizational support, like leadership behaviors, workload management, and access to resources, plays a large role in either exacerbating or mitigating burnout. The study concludes with recommendations for organizations to implement targeted interventions and suggests future research opportunities to further explore burnout prevention and recovery strategies across a wider range of industries and demographics. Keywords: burnout, productivity, employee well-being, workplace stress, leadership support, flexible work, emotional exhaustion, job performance, burnout recovery.
Recommended Citation
McWatters, Kathleen, "Burnout and Productivity: An Action Research Study on Workplace Impact and Mitigation" (2025). Instructional Design Capstones Collection. 91.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/instruction_capstone/91