Venkat Raman
Auckland, May 15, 2025
A Burnout Session, more formally known as a Burnout Prevention or Management Workshop, is a dedicated training programme designed to address the issue of chronic workplace stress.
Its purpose is to educate employees and managers about the nature of burnout, helping them to recognise its symptoms, understand its root causes, and learn practical strategies for prevention and recovery. In the modern work environment, these sessions are invaluable.
They act as a proactive measure to protect employee well-being, reduce absenteeism and staff turnover, and maintain productivity. By fostering an open dialogue about mental health, they help to create a more supportive and resilient organisational culture.
Mitigating negative effects
Management expert Vishwas Deshpande conducted one such series of workshops in the final quarter of 2024. These sessions aimed to equip attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the issue, enabling them to define burnout, identify its primary causes, and recognise key signs in themselves and their colleagues. A further objective was to provide practical solutions for managing and mitigating its effects.
To foster a personal and participatory learning atmosphere, each workshop was limited to a maximum of 25 attendees. Mr Deshpande provided each participant with an E-Workbook, a tool designed to enhance engagement with the material. The Workbook’s purpose was to give individuals the resources to become self-sufficient in addressing burnout and to cultivate a proactive mindset towards their well-being.
During the sessions, attendees learned practical skills to build self-awareness and develop proactive strategies such as ‘Monk Mode,’ effective time utilisation, and prioritisation techniques.
A central theme throughout the workshops, as emphasised by Mr Deshpande, was the importance of spotting Burnout signs within oneself or among co-workers and learning how to offer meaningful support. This approach highlights a broader need for employers to foster a workplace culture founded on values of mutual support and mindfulness. Such an environment, he noted, empowers employees to look out for one another.
The interactive nature of the workshops was a key element of their success. Participants were encouraged to share their own experiences, which created a space for open communication and helped attendees understand the common underlying factors that can trigger burnout. After each workshop, an informal networking opportunity over snacks was provided, which proved popular as participants stayed to connect with their peers.
Proactive and Interactive
The Burnout Prevention Workshops offered a valuable forum for attendees to gain essential knowledge and tools. They learned to proactively address burnout within a supportive and interactive environment that also nurtured workplace connections.
Mr Deshpande has confirmed that the next workshop is scheduled to take place soon, with final details being arranged. The programme will be updated with new content, including a questionnaire designed to help attendees identify their main personal stressors, thereby pinpointing the primary contributors to their risk of burnout.
Mr Deshpande recommends wider participation to learn more about burnout, its far-reaching consequences, and what can be done to manage the stressors that affect everyone.
