'Misalignment burnout': When you and your employer's values don't align

Workers suffering from 'misalignment burnout' find it hard to feel committed to their professional tasks, and become progressively disengaged from their work. — AFP

THE Covid-19 pandemic acted as a wake-up call, prompting millions of working people to question their work and their professional expectations. Many feel increasingly uneasy about working for a company that doesn't share their values, which can lead to "misalignment burnout."

The notion of misalignment burnout was theorised by Mark Travers, an American psychologist who co-founded the telemedicine platform Awake Therapy. It refers to the physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that results from prolonged investment in a job that's at odds with your personal convictions. For example, an employee with a strong ecological conscience may feel a strong value conflict if they work for a company with little commitment to the fight against global warming.