Abstract
Background: This study investigated the presence of the burnout syndrome amongst employees of the banking sector. This topic is of particular interest owing to recent changes in working conditions and the controversial commercial strategies employed in this sector in recent years. Method: A total of 1,341 professionals, 883 men and 458 women took part in the study. A Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey was used, via electronic mail. Results: The results revealed that at least 55.78% of the sample showed a high risk of burnout in at least two of the dimensions. The workers in commercial branch offices dealing with the general public showed a greater risk of burnout than those working in central services. Conclusions: The risk of burnout was higher than in other professions considered to be at risk and appears to be more closely associated with work-related stress and the controversial commercial strategies employed in the sector in recent years than with the possibility of cuts in salary. Psychological intervention programs aimed at stress management would be a recommendable way of helping employees address problems of this kind.
