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The Job Burnout Quiz

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – How can you tell if you just a need a day off of work or should be considering a new career?

With fewer people doing more work, reports of job burnout are on the rise.

"Burnout is something that doesn't change over many days," said Elaine Varelas, a human resource consultant at Keystone Partners. "New projects don't energize you, new colleagues don't energize you. You have just had it and spend most of your time daydreaming about what else, and where else you want to be."

Varelas said you should consider four questions to determine whether it's the end of the line at your current job.

Do you lack the energy to go to work most days?

"It's that long continuation, when that's how you feel every day about going to work," said Varelas.

Another warning sign is trouble concentrating when you are on the job.

Another question you should ask yourself is 'Do you have a feeling of ambiguity about your role in the organization?'.

"If you are unclear about what your responsibilities are, then you are never really solid in your role," added Varelas.

Finally, do you feel detached and isolated from co-workers?

"Not having relationships is a significant issue, and another sign of burnout, and potentially depression," said Varelas.

Burnout costs companies big money in lost productivity, and recruiting replacement workers.

Some companies work very hard to help workers stay fresh on the job.

Strategic marketing executive Melanie Russell has worked at Invensys for 40 years.  She couldn't hide that fact even if she wanted to.  It's posted on a wall as a point of pride along with the names other long time workers.

Invensys promotes internal stress releases like quick bowling matches on the Wii and community outreach projects on company time.

Russell volunteered weekly at a local charter school, helping a 6th grader on her science fair project. She said it helped her, the community and her company.

"You'd come back and you'd just be a little more recharged," said Russell.

Varelas believes more companies are realizing small investments can have big returns.

"Dealing with stress and the stress that impacts burnout is something that is good for the bottom line," said Varelas.

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