A specialist educator for more than twenty years, Isabel has always felt invested in her profession with children. Until recently. For a few months, his desire to go to work has collapsed. She “finds no more meaning” in what she does, she says. A situation that she explains in particular by working conditions that have deteriorated sharply since the pandemic, with too intense rhythms, increased responsibilities and a lack of staff. She sees the results of her work deteriorating over the months: “We put bandages where we can. Then, we reach a point where we say to ourselves that the only solution is to save our skin. »
→ READ. Together, recover from burnout
This state of disinvestment in one’s work is characterized by a form of inner resignation. Different from exhaustion by boredom and professional exhaustion (burn-out), it is also a situation of psychological distress, but associated with a loss of meaning in the purpose of professional activities.
A phenomenon that precedes exhaustion
For Jean-Claude Delgènes, founder of Technologia, this loss of meaning is actually a step that leads to burnout. This is the moment when the worker is in a situation of instability, of too great demands. “People put themselves in ‘robot mode’, to be able to carry out all the tasks that are asked of them. » The mechanization of work leads to it losing its meaning: “The worker says to himself: ‘What’s the use?’ He no longer knows why he sacrifices what is important, such as his family, his free time, his hobbies…”
The loss of meaning is also linked, according to him, to a lack of reference points: “You are asked to constantly adapt, to take on new responsibilities without having been prepared for them… However, in order to be able to take ownership of your work, to be able to give it meaning, you need stability. »
For David Graeber, an American anthropologist and economist, this phenomenon is intrinsically linked to the existence of « bullshit jobs » (“bullshit” jobs), these trades that he considers “useless or superfluous”.
The indicator of the health crisis
But for Jean-Claude Delgènes and other specialists in the world of work, the loss of meaning is a state that can be reached in other types of jobs or professional environments, even those deemed essential. The health crisis has – precisely – exacerbated this phenomenon in medical circles. “Most professions in the medical world are ‘vocational’: they are invested people, who love their jobhe explains. But the hospital is in such difficulty that it leads caregivers to be out of step with the vision they have of their profession. Overwhelmed, they rush their work: it is very unsatisfactory. »
The confinements were also a period of questioning for many other individuals. “Locked up at home, people have taken a step back from their profession and the content of their work”, explains Céline Marty, doctor of work philosophy. “Containments have awakened aspirations buried under routine”, adds Jean-Claude Delgenes. However, it is precisely this introspection that can save people”.
Consequence, but also solution to get out of this loss of meaning: professional retraining. “People are looking to reinvest elsewhere, with more protective methods: a job in a healthy environment, which provides them with rest and pleasure, the key factors for a fulfilling professional life. » For her part, Isabel has already thought about doing a skills assessment to reorient herself, maybe in the social field, maybe not. The most important thing: finding a more ” caring “without a “such a risk of exhaustion”.