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Dr Ben J Searle

@drbensearle.bsky.social
732 followers 384 following 302 posts

Organisational Psychologist: expertise in #burnout, psychosocial hazards, and assessment development. Persistence hunting my best self. #IOPsych He/him mindonthejob.com

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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
What if having their preferred coffee with them gives a candidate confidence in a stressful meeting? What if it helps them manage symptoms of a recent illness? What if it helps them to focus? I can respect these possibilities, and I don’t even like coffee!
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Are they good at the job? You’ll never know, you wrote them off the moment they entered the room, and research consistently shows that an early bad impression taints interpersonal judgment. Which should warn us against making ANY snap judgments against candidates.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It’s the type of “firm handshake and good eye contact” approach that encourages favourable treatment for already privileged groups. Neurodivergent folks and people from different cultural backgrounds in particular may not know about the prohibitions on interview coffee that some consider obvious.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
There are few jobs where “follows niche behavioural norm” is more important than the top, say, 5 most critical job competencies. For example, I want my accountant had a strong understanding of taxation rules than a strong understanding of interview coffee rules. I hope I’m not alone on this?
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
That a job candidate should never bring a coffee into a job interview is a very specific norm (behaviour standard expected in a particular social context). Adherence to such a specific norm tells you remarkably little about whether the candidate can do the job.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This “don’t bring your coffee into a job interview” business sets my teeth on edge. I’m an organisational psychologist, and even though selection is not my specialty area, I can tell you that pronouncements like this are problematic.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Perfectionism isn't healthy (it's associated with #burnout), but it also isn't well understood. Did you know workplace experiences can affect a worker's perfectionism? Learn more in the latest issue of my ($-free & AI-free) newsletter. #IOPsychology #perfectionism mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/09...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #16: Burnout and Perfectionism - A Balanced Perspective - Mind On The Job
Some people see burnout and perfectionism as badges of honour, but neither is healthy. Could there be a way to address both of these at once?
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Perfectionism isn't healthy (it's associated with #burnout), but it also isn't well understood. Did you know workplace experiences can affect a worker's perfectionism? Learn more in the latest issue of my ($-free & AI-free) newsletter. #IOPsychology #perfectionism mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/09...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #16: Burnout and Perfectionism - A Balanced Perspective - Mind On The Job
Some people see burnout and perfectionism as badges of honour, but neither is healthy. Could there be a way to address both of these at once?
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This is something that troubles me also. Some things can be described in 25 words, some take 2500, and some need 250,000. Longer works aren’t 99% padding! Prompts suggesting that long reads be summarised actively discourages thorough understanding and good decision-making.
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Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
As both an academic and a writer, I am repelled by the "this looks like a long document. Would you like me to summarize it for you?" that seems to appear at the top of every pdf viewer now. NO. The *entire point* of good writing (either books or journal papers) is that every sentence has a purpose.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Burnout is seen as having three symptoms: exhaustion, cynicism, & low self-efficacy. In this article I discuss a fourth. "Burnout brain", where burnout disrupts cognition, is well supported by evidence and it has important implications. #burnout #IOPsychology #WHS mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/08...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #15: The Curious Case of Burnout Brain - Mind On The Job
This issue of Read Before Burning examines "burnout brain", a phenomenon where burnout interferes with our cognitive capabilities, and its implications.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Burnout is seen as having three symptoms: exhaustion, cynicism, & low self-efficacy. In this article I discuss a fourth. "Burnout brain", where burnout disrupts cognition, is well supported by evidence and it has important implications. #burnout #IOPsychology #WHS mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/08...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #15: The Curious Case of Burnout Brain - Mind On The Job
This issue of Read Before Burning examines "burnout brain", a phenomenon where burnout interferes with our cognitive capabilities, and its implications.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
What can a slice of cheese tell us about protecting people against burnout? Reason's Swiss Cheese Model shows how adverse events result from a series of failures across defence layers. It can inform our systems and norms for managing #burnout. #IOpsychology #safety mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/07...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #14: Your Burnout Defences Have Holes - Mind On The Job
In this issue, I explain that your organisation's burnout defences have holes -- holes that allow people to burn out in what might seem like a well-run workplace.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
What can a slice of cheese tell us about protecting people against burnout? Reason's Swiss Cheese Model shows how adverse events result from a series of failures across defence layers. It can inform our systems and norms for managing #burnout. #IOpsychology #safety mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/07...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #14: Your Burnout Defences Have Holes - Mind On The Job
In this issue, I explain that your organisation's burnout defences have holes -- holes that allow people to burn out in what might seem like a well-run workplace.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I can’t say literary agents or publishers have shown much enthusiasm for my “premium product” so far, but to be fair I’ve only been querying it for 16 months.
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MHScot Workplace Wellbeing CIC @mentalhealthscot.land · 13/07/2026
"You could be the only person in their life that said that to them." Tracey Secker joins Inside Out to explore why "are you okay?" carries more weight than we realise and why checking in is everyone's job, not just managers'. 🎧 pod.co/inside-out-mental-he... #Podcast
pod.co
The Colleague You Think Is Fine: Trauma at Work - Inside Out: Mental Health at Work and in Life
In this episode of Inside Out: Mental Health at Work and in Life, I'm joined by Tracey Secker, founder of Voices Social Enterprise, a non-profit raising awareness of domestic abuse, trauma and other forms of abuse, supporting both employees and emplo
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
When someone is burning out: * Should they STAY (trust their employer to investigate & fix psychosocial hazards)? * or should they GO (find a new job despite the sacrifice and risk)? Experiences of Burnout 2025 study participants provide valuable insights! #burnout mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/06...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #13: Should I Stay or Should I Go? - Mind On The Job
In this issue of Read Before Burning, I try to answer the question so often asked by people burning out at work: "Should I stay or should I go?"
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
lol sob
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
When someone is burning out: * Should they STAY (trust their employer to investigate & fix psychosocial hazards)? * or should they GO (find a new job despite the sacrifice and risk)? Experiences of Burnout 2025 study participants provide valuable insights! #burnout mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/06...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #13: Should I Stay or Should I Go? - Mind On The Job
In this issue of Read Before Burning, I try to answer the question so often asked by people burning out at work: "Should I stay or should I go?"
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
It's easy to make assumptions about what's best for others, but much can go wrong when the "others" aren't consulted. In this episode of MOTJ, I talk to Prof Lena Wang about the many benefits of consulting those with lived experience of mental illness. #inclusion mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/06...
mindonthejob.com
The Value of Lived Experience with Professor Y. Lena Wang - Mind On The Job
In this episode, Dr Searle talks to Professor Lena Wang about the value of lived experience in making workplaces more inclusive and supportive.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
It's easy to make assumptions about what's best for others, but much can go wrong when the "others" aren't consulted. In this episode of MOTJ, I talk to Prof Lena Wang about the many benefits of consulting those with lived experience of mental illness. #inclusion mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/06...
mindonthejob.com
The Value of Lived Experience with Professor Y. Lena Wang - Mind On The Job
In this episode, Dr Searle talks to Professor Lena Wang about the value of lived experience in making workplaces more inclusive and supportive.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
In this issue of READ BEFORE BURNING, I discuss an evidence-based explanation for why organisational injustice might trigger an escalation of #burnout and what you can do to prevent it. mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/05...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #12: Can Injustice Trigger Burnout? - Mind On The Job
In this issue of Read Before Burning, I ask "Can injustice trigger Burnout?" If someone is already burning out, could unjust treatment trigger a shift to severe burnout? I explore how this might happe...
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and yet... Many folks who've been through severe burnout say they endured burnout for months or even years before something pushed them over the edge. The common theme to these events? Organizational injustice. But why? (link in comments) #iopsychology #burnout
Image: set of scales, mind on the job logo.
Text: Can Injustice Trigger Burnout? Read Before Burning
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Mind on the Job @mindonthejob.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
This issue of Read Before Burning asks the question, “Can injustice trigger Burnout?” Burnout doesn't happen overnight, but if someone is already burning out, the right (wrong) experience might trigger a shift towards severe #burnout. But how? mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/05... #IOPsychology #WHS
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #12: Can Injustice Trigger Burnout? - Mind On The Job
In this issue of Read Before Burning, I ask "Can injustice trigger Burnout?" If someone is already burning out, could unjust treatment trigger a shift to severe burnout? I explore how this might happe...
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
I’ve included an image here to let you test the effect first, but I warn you — you might want to like my post or follow me first because you may not see my post again. Because when you swipe away from an image you enlarged, @bsky.app takes you right back to the top of your feed. 4/x
It’s Autumn in my country. We do have some deciduous trees here, we just think Autumn is a better name than Fall. Zoom in to see the colours on those leaves…
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Remember, some of us don’t have the visual acuity we used to have. We find workarounds. Huh, interesting picture, but I can’t make out the detail. I’ll just click on the image and use my fingers to expand it… cool details! And now I’ll swipe the image away to get back to my feed… 3/x
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
If you scroll past a post with an image, you won’t notice anything. If you stop and look at the image, it will seem fine. If you click on an image one, so it fills the screen, it’s all good. But if you’re using BlueSky via your phone and you enlarge the image… 2/x
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
For over a month, @bsky.app has had a serious bug — but the dev team might not see it from their computers, and the user base may be too young to be affected. I’m talking about image attachments. 1/x
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ProSocial World @prosocialworld.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
✨New podcast is up! Cultivating Compassion at Work with Ben Searle, Ph.D. and organisational psychologist, and Robert Styles. How can we make workplaces more compassionate? 🔗Listen now: mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/05... #Podcast #Prosocial #Psychology #BehavioralScience #Work
mindonthejob.com
Cultivating Compassion at Work with Dr Robert Styles - Mind On The Job
In this episode, Dr Searle talks to Dr Robert Styles about compassion, its importance in the workplace, and how we can cultivate more compassion at work.
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Mind on the Job @mindonthejob.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Compassion is too often ignored in the field of business. In this episode, @drbensearle.bsky.social talks to ProSocial World’s Dr Robert Styles about compassion, its importance in the workplace, and how we can cultivate more #compassion at work. #management mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/05...
mindonthejob.com
Cultivating Compassion at Work with Dr Robert Styles - Mind On The Job
In this episode, Dr Searle talks to Dr Robert Styles about compassion, its importance in the workplace, and how we can cultivate more compassion at work.
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Wilmar Schaufeli @wilmarschaufeli.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
New Post: New paper on the diagnosis of clinical burnout
wilmarschaufeli.nl
New paper on the diagnosis of clinical burnout – Wilmar Schaufeli
Professor at Utrecht and Leuven University
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
I spoke to Dr Bronwyn Milkins, delightful host of the Mental Work podcast, about my lived experiences of (and research into) burnout, and the implications for mental health professionals seeking to accurately diagnose and effectively help clients with #burnout. mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/04...
mindonthejob.com
Supporting clients with severe burnout
I spoke to Bronwyn Milkins, delightful host of the psychology podcast Mental Work, about my lived experiences of — and subsequent research into –burnout, and the implications for mental…
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
We need to identify burnout earlier! In issue 6 of READ BEFORE BURNING, I explain why that's so important, present the results of my research study into early warning signs of #burnout, and discuss ways to use those signs for early recognition / intervention. mindonthejob.com/blog/2025/11...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #06: Early Warning Signs
Welcome to Read Before Burning, a monthly newsletter by Dr Ben J. Searle. Come here for simple but informative coverage of burnout-related concepts, research findings, and actionable advice – all f…
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Nectarine Headache
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
READ BEFORE BURNING issue 11 covers what you should do *after* someone discloses to you that they are burning out: offer help (often trickier than you think), respect confidentiality, report hazards... and keep records. Did I miss anything? #IOPsych #burnout #WHS mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/04...
mindonthejob.com
Burnout: From Disclosure to Action
In this issue, I discuss the actions that you can (and in many cases should) take after someone has disclosed to you that they are burning out. These include offering help (which can be trickier th…
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Mind on the Job @mindonthejob.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
What makes work "good work"? In this episode of the podcast, I speak to Dr Kat Page about her book "Good Work: Transforming Your Work from the Inside Out" (now available from good bookstores) and the principles behind good work. #iopsychology #wellbeing #management #workdesign #orgpsych #podcast
mindonthejob.com
What Makes Work Good Work? with Dr Kathryn Page
In this episode I talk to organisational psychologist Dr Kat Page about her book “Good Work: Transforming Your Work from the Inside Out”. We discuss principles of good work and some of …
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Mind on the Job @mindonthejob.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Did you recently learn that a member of your team is burning out? This article walks you through what you should do next.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
I’ve spoken to people who claim they considered keeping records but they balked at the notion of a fat binder full of meticulous notes. But you can capture most updates in 1-3 sentences!
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Yes, it’s such a misguided response!
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
READ BEFORE BURNING issue 11 covers what you should do *after* someone discloses to you that they are burning out: offer help (often trickier than you think), respect confidentiality, report hazards... and keep records. Did I miss anything? #IOPsych #burnout #WHS mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/04...
mindonthejob.com
Burnout: From Disclosure to Action
In this issue, I discuss the actions that you can (and in many cases should) take after someone has disclosed to you that they are burning out. These include offering help (which can be trickier th…
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APA Journals @apajournals.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Join us for #PsychologyWeek by exploring our Editor Spotlight series, featuring APA Journals' incredible editors and their professional experiences, advice, and missions. Meet the editors: bit.ly/4mtA6DD
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Last month I explained what *not* to do when someone tells you they are burning out. This issue explaining what you should do instead: Listen, Empathise, Ask, and Do. Learn how to LEAD someone in the direction of recovery! #iopsych #mentalhealth #occupationalhealth mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/03...
mindonthejob.com
How to Handle Burnout Disclosure
In this issue, I cover what you SHOULD do when someone discloses to you that they are burning out. There are four simple principles to remember: Listen, Empathise, Ask, and Do. Read this article to…
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
I spoke to Dr Bronwyn Milkins, delightful host of the Mental Work podcast, about my lived experiences of (and research into) burnout, and the implications for mental health professionals seeking to accurately diagnose and effectively help clients with #burnout. mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/04...
mindonthejob.com
Supporting clients with severe burnout
I spoke to Bronwyn Milkins, delightful host of the psychology podcast Mental Work, about my lived experiences of — and subsequent research into –burnout, and the implications for mental…
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Sy Islam @iosyislam.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
I'm excited to share my latest article co-authored with @iopsychology.bsky.social about construct proliferation in #iopsych & the #metascience initiative that could stem the tide against construct proliferation buff.ly/VOlsi9L
buff.ly
One Construct After Another: The Story of Our Science – Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Email correspondence about this article can be sent Dr. Sayeedul Islam at islams@farmingdale.edu Construct proliferation is not just an I-O psychology problem; it has been highlighted in many related ...
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
I spoke to Dr Bronwyn Milkins, delightful host of the Mental Work podcast, about my lived experiences of (and research into) burnout, and the implications for mental health professionals seeking to accurately diagnose and effectively help clients with #burnout. open.spotify.com/episode/1tgo...
open.spotify.com
Spotify – Web Player
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Mind on the Job @mindonthejob.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
New technologies can have big impacts on work and workers. In this episode, I discuss effects of technology, the meaning of work, and the questionable goal of “efficiency” with U. Sydney Business School Professor Anya Johnson. #IOPsych #management #wellbeingatwork mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/04...
mindonthejob.com
Technology and the Meaning of Work with Professor Anya Johnson
In this episode of Mind on the Job, I talk to University of Sydney Business School Professor Anya Johnson about technology, the meaning of work, and the questionable goal of “efficiency”.
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Mind on the Job @mindonthejob.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
In this episode of Mind on the Job, I’m joined by organisational psychologist Sandra Lam for a discussion about psychosocial risk management in fly-in / fly-out work contexts. 🛬🛫 mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/03... #iopsych #FIFO #whs #occupationalhealth #psychosocial #stress #wellbeing
mindonthejob.com
Psychosocial Risk Management in FIFO Work with Sandra Lam
In this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by organisational psychologist Sandra Lam for a discussion about psychosocial risk management in fly-in / fly-out work contexts.
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Last month I explained what *not* to do when someone tells you they are burning out. This issue explaining what you should do instead: Listen, Empathise, Ask, and Do. Learn how to LEAD someone in the direction of recovery! #iopsych #mentalhealth #occupationalhealth mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/03...
mindonthejob.com
How to Handle Burnout Disclosure
In this issue, I cover what you SHOULD do when someone discloses to you that they are burning out. There are four simple principles to remember: Listen, Empathise, Ask, and Do. Read this article to…
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Dr Ben J Searle @drbensearle.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
When someone discloses feelings of burnout, a supportive response can facilitate trust, hope, and effective recovery. A poor response can do the opposite. I hear many stories about poor responses to burnout disclosure. Here's what NOT to do. #burnout #whs #occhealth mindonthejob.com/blog/2026/02...
mindonthejob.com
Read Before Burning #09: Disclosure Don’ts
When someone finally has the courage to open up about feeling burned out, the response they get can make a huge difference. A supportive response can facilitate trust, hope, and effective recovery.…
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