ESTIMATES OF BURNOUT IN PUBLIC AGENCIES - WORLDWIDE, HOW MANY EMPLOYEES HAVE WHICH DEGREES OF BURNOUT, AND WITH WHAT CONSEQUENCES

Using a well-validated eight-phase model of burnout, this article summ arizes public-sector findings in 34 work settings-in the U.S., Canada, and worldwide. The findings fall in three major categories. First, a large number of variables co-vary with the phases in regular and robus t ways-e.g., the incidence of physical symptoms increases, phase by ad vancing phase. Second, the incidences of advanced phases also vary in numerous populations, but burnout appears high almost everywhere. Thir d, burnout in the U.S. public sector is not appreciably worse than in business, but attains serious proportions in both arenas. Implications of the findings reflect major challenges for public employers and emp loyees.