Rust-out refers to symptoms of apathy, disinterest, and dullness that arise from jobs that underutilize employees' skills over time. It is the opposite of burnout and results in the slow erosion of motivation and job contribution as skills atrophy from lack of use. Left unaddressed, rust-out can spread to other workers and indicate deeper problems with management style that do not engage or challenge employees. To prevent rust-out, managers must identify underutilized workers and take steps to resolve the issues through changes in job duties or training.