Burnout in Telecommunications Contracting Projects: Aggravating Factors and its Association with Gender

This research explores burnout in the telecommunications sector, focusing on personal and organizational factors based on gender. The hypotheses relate to gender differences, work-life balance, and organizational factors.

Using the quantitative methodology, 100 employees were interviewed, assessing variables, such as age, gender, marital status, work-life balance, and organizational support with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The data analysis, conducted using Jamovi, led to the following key findings.

No significant gender differences were observed in depersonalization, personal achievement, and emotional burnout (p = 0.498, p = 0.614, p = 0.285, respectively), rejecting the first hypothesis. The work-life imbalance was associated with higher depersonalization (p = 0.001) and emotional exhaustion (p < 0.001), partially confirming the second hypothesis. Respondents with a lack of work-life balance reported significantly greater depersonalization (average = 11.50 vs. 6.41) and emotional burnout (average = 29.60 vs. 17.24). High workload and insufficient support were associated with increased depersonalization (p = 0.023) and emotional burnout (p = 0.002), partially confirming the third hypothesis. Participants with high workloads reported greater depersonalization (average = 8.89 vs. 4.86) and emotional exhaustion (average = 23.42 vs. 12.86).

Rapid technological changes and high demands in the telecommunications sector exacerbate stress, highlighting the need for effective workload management, organizational support, and promoting work-life balance to mitigate burnout.

Moreover, the implications of the fact that no significant gender differences are observed must be investigated in future studies.