Queer Folks and the Burnout Experience: Impressions from a Mini Job Fair
On June 28th and 29th, the Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin became a hub of opportunity and empowerment during Sticks and Stones - DAS QUEERE JOB- & KARRIEREFESTIVAL.
This event catered specifically to queer individuals seeking reintegration into the workforce, providing an invaluable platform for networking, exchanging information, and securing employment. Our participation in this fair was driven by our commitment to the Reintegrate Wellbeing project, which aims to support workers who have experienced burnout and promote healthier work environments.
The Reintegrate Wellbeing project, a collaborative European KA2 initiative, focuses on supporting workers affected by burnout to re-enter the labor market. Our duty as a partner in this project involves actively engaging with employers and job support services to foster healthier workplaces. One of the key aspects of our involvement is participating in job fairs like Sticks and Stones, as outlined in the project's manifesto, was to:
"actively support workers victims of burnout to re-enter the labour market favoring the direct encounter with employers and job support services promoting healthier work environments."
Our primary objective attending this Mini job fair was to disseminate information about the Reintegrate Wellbeing project and show our final project results. Over the past two years, we have collaborated with partners from across Europe to develop informative free materials full of resources, both physical in the form of a report, handbook, and virtual, in the form of an online platform equipped with online courses, for both employers and employees. These materials are designed to help recognize and address early signs of burnout, contributing to healthier and more supportive work environments.
During the fair, our team engaged verbally with attendees, explaining the goals and benefits of the Reintegrate Wellbeing project. The positive response from many attendees highlighted the significant impact of our work. Several individuals who had experienced burnout themselves remarked that Reintegrate Wellbeing was a much-needed initiative, emphasizing the widespread nature of burnout and the importance of providing resources to address it.
Our presence at the Sticks and Stones job fair was a significant step in advancing the Reintegrate Wellbeing project. By directly engaging, we have taken crucial steps towards fostering healthier work environments and supporting those affected by burnout. Moving forward, we will continue to disseminate our resources, participate in similar events, and work towards creating a more supportive and inclusive labor market.
We invite all interested parties to learn more about the Reintegrate Wellbeing project and join us in promoting healthier workplaces. Together, we can make a difference in addressing the widespread issue of burnout and supporting the reintegration of affected workers.