Bore-out

Bore-out is the opposite of burnout syndrome and arises from the feeling of being permanently under-challenged at work (feeling bored).

Coined by Swiss management consultants Rothlin and Werder (2007), bore-out is particularly prevalent in service professions, where visible productive output is harder to measure compared to industries like manufacturing. Common causes of bore-out syndrome include:

• Monotonous daily routines with a lack of variety in the job.

• Overstaffing in certain work areas, leading to underutilized employees.

Employees affected by bore-out often feel bored and dissatisfied with their work but continue to maintain the illusion of being fully occupied in order to keep their jobs. Like burnout syndrome, bore-out can lead to psychosomatic illnesses, such as muscle tension or digestive problems.

Causes of Bore-out:

• Lack of job variety and challenge.

• Underemployment or overstaffing.

• Repetitive tasks without meaningful engagement.

Symptoms of Bore-out:

• Boredom and emotional dissatisfaction.

• Illusions of productivity (feeling busy without meaningful output).

• Psychosomatic issues (such as tension, stomach problems).

More on this topic

Explore more about bore-out and its impact on employee well-being. If you’re looking for professional help, we have a list of occupational psychologists in Germany and Austria who specialize in work-related issues