Introduction

In 2019, World Health Organization (WHO) added Burnout Syndrome to the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases. People who experience burnout may have symptoms like stress, exhaustion, energy depletion, and feeling unaccomplished as a direct result of chronic workplace stress \cite{organization2019}.  A study in 2017 found that job burnout can lead to many long-term health complications like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and major depressive disorder \cite{Salvagioni_2017}. Harvard Business Review estimated that job burnout has resulted in $125 billion to $190 billion spent annually in healthcare costs \cite{e2017}.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many people have left their jobs and careers, searching for ones that better fulfil their financial and personal needs \cite{j2021}. Many news outlets and social media discussions have described this as the “Great Resignation” \cite{j2021a}. Many organizations and businesses have yet to take responsibility for this, as employers historically redirected blame to the employees. However, several studies discovered some key factors that lead to workplace burnout. Among the top five are an unreasonable workload, lack of support from management, and unfair treatment \cite{Maslach_2016}.
Burnout has been heavily researched in fields like healthcare and teaching, as these fields tend to be the most physically and emotionally demanding, with long hours \cite{Maslach_2001}. Nurses, doctors, veterinarians, and teachers are also at risk of compassion fatigue. The American Psychological Association \cite{a2020} explains that compassion fatigue happens when people take on the suffering, stress, and trauma experienced by others.
Those working at zoos and aquariums might recognize the symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue. Research shows that similarly to healthcare workers, animal care workers take on the stress and trauma experienced by animals \cite{Hill_2020}. There has not been a lot of research looking at burnout rates among zoo and aquarium professionals. Many facilities have increased their diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) initiatives in the last few years after a new accreditation standard was added to AZA accreditation. However, burnout and compassion fatigue might be perpetuating equity and justice issues.
A 2021 report from Women in the Workplace found that those who identified as women were significantly more likely to experience burnout than those who identified as men. The results from the survey demonstrate that despite putting in more hours and effort, women, specifically women of colour, were significantly less likely to advance in their careers. This situation causes people to feel under accomplished and underrecognized compared to their peers - a key factor in burnout. research indicates that those who identify as women \cite{s2021}, LGBTQ+ \cite{Samuels_2021}, and/or Black, Indigenous, and people of colour \cite{Basma_2021} are more likely than their peers to experience discrimination and mental health issues in the workplace, which can also lead to burnout.
Organizations like zoos and aquariums can try new recruitment strategies and training programs to increase the number of diverse employees. However, facilities’ “diversity” numbers will not last if burnout disproportionately affects specific groups. Organizations need to understand who experiences burnout and how to support those individuals, as this will help build their equity and justice initiatives.
This study aims to determine the rates of burnout within historically marginalized groups working at zoos and aquariums. The study also examines how various forms of harassment and discrimination lead to burnout. Lastly, this study looks at individuals’ work experiences to determine if they are more likely to have positive or negative experiences while working at zoos and aquariums. Individuals from historically marginalized groups and those who experience harassment and discrimination are expected to have higher rates of burnout.
By surveying people who are working or have previously worked at zoos and aquariums, we can answer the question, “Do people from historically marginalized groups (race, gender, sexuality, disability) experience higher rates of workplace burnout in zoo & aquarium careers than people who identify as white, men, straight, and/or non-disabled?”