Are you burned out?
16 clinically-grounded questions based on the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Find out where you are and what to do about it. Takes 3 minutes.
report burnout symptoms
This assessment draws on two of the most widely used and validated burnout measurement tools in clinical and occupational health research. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), developed by Elena Demerouti, measures exhaustion and disengagement. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), developed by Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter, additionally captures reduced efficacy and depersonalisation. Together they give a multi-dimensional view of burnout rather than just measuring tiredness. The WHO formally classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon in the ICD-11 in 2019.
Stress is typically short-term and resolves when the pressure is removed. Burnout develops over months or years of chronic unmanaged stress and has three distinct dimensions: emotional and physical exhaustion, psychological withdrawal from work (disengagement), and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. Depression is a clinical disorder that can co-occur with burnout but differs in that it extends beyond work into all areas of life and typically involves persistent low mood, anhedonia and altered cognition. If you are unsure whether you are experiencing burnout or depression, speaking with a GP is the right first step.
Yes. Burnout and work-related stress are recognised as valid medical reasons for sick leave in both Ireland and the UK. A GP can issue a sick certificate stating you are unfit for work due to stress, burnout or anxiety — without specifying your diagnosis to your employer. Sicknote.com can issue a sick note from a IMC-registered GP after a short online questionnaire, usually within a few hours. If your score on this quiz suggests moderate or severe burnout, you may be entitled to time off.
Recovery varies significantly by severity and circumstance. Research suggests mild burnout may resolve with adequate rest, boundary-setting and lifestyle changes within weeks to a few months. Moderate to severe burnout typically takes 3 to 12 months of sustained intervention. Recovery is not linear — most people experience improvement followed by setbacks when they return to stressful environments too quickly. The most evidence-supported recovery paths involve: reducing the source stressors (where possible), adequate sleep and rest, structured psychological support such as CBT, social connection, and sometimes a period of medical sick leave to allow genuine recovery without the pressure of performance.
It's a single email we send to anyone who requests it. It contains: the three clinical stages of burnout recovery and what to focus on in each, a curated list of podcasts and books specifically focused on burnout (reviewed for scientific credibility), a printable two-week symptom tracking log, a guide to your sick leave rights in Ireland and the UK, and practical advice on how to talk to your GP about burnout. No newsletter, no upsell — just one useful email.
Your quiz answers run entirely in your browser and are never sent to any server. If you choose to enter your email for the Burnout Recovery Starter Kit, we store your email address to send the one-time guide. We do not sell or share your email with third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy for full details.