Are older workers getting more easily burnout than younger workers? No. That fiftieplus people are often victims of emotional exhaustion is a myth from the nineties.

In the late 90s older workers who were burnout were often given a benefit for disability. Often they retained that until they retired. Thus, organizations could get rid easily from their older, jaded employees. The relatively high burnout numbers in that age group led to the image that burnout is typically for older workers. It turns out to be not typical for that age group. It seems that workers between 40-50 years (with a busy job and young children at home) at least as often get burned out the Netherlands than older workers. In international studies younger workers have a slightly higher risk of getting burned out. According to figures from the Central Statistical Office about 13 percent of the Dutch population suffers from burnout symptoms. They are relatively common in workers with a high workload and employees who have little social support from colleagues and managers. Employees with a partner and children are less likely to develop burnout symptoms than other employees.

The good news is that nowadays emotional exhaustion is treatable. So look timely for help, because the longer you go on, the longer the recovery process will be.