THE BURNOUT EPIDEMIC: AN HR CRISIS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

Dahlina Nopilawati (Universitas Riau Kepulauan)
Tibrani (Universitas Riau Kepulauan)
Lukmanul Hakim (Universitas Riau Kepulauan)

Multidiciplinary Output Research for Actual and International Issue (Morfai Journal)
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): Multidiciplinary Output Research For Actual and International Issue

This article addresses the pervasive and costly organizational crisis of employee burnout. The background establishes burnout as a syndrome of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy, increasingly prevalent in modern workplaces. The objective is to argue that HR must lead a systemic, strategic intervention, moving beyond individual resilience programs to address root causes. The methodology synthesizes the seminal Job Demands-Resources model and Christina Maslach’s Six Mismatches framework with contemporary research on organizational psychology and work design. The results present a diagnostic audit based on the six mismatches and a multi-tiered intervention strategy targeting organizational systems, managerial practices, and cultural norms. The discussion posits that burnout is a critical failure of work design, not a personal failing, and that sustainable performance is only possible through humane systems. The conclusion asserts that transforming the approach to burnout from a wellness issue to a strategic priority is essential for ethical leadership and long-term competitive advantage.