In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, it should come as no surprise that employee burnout is a major problem. Many professionals feel overwhelmed by competing demands, intense deadline pressures, and overwhelming expectations. Add to that the fact that technology has made it nearly impossible to set boundaries between home and work life. The fact is, long hours and increased workload can cause exhaustion, lack of concentration, increased stress levels, and overall health problems. All of these are signs of burnout at work.
The impact of burnout on organizations can be significant. Burnout in the business world can result in lower productivity, higher employee turnover, and decreased engagement. The good news, however, is that there are things that can be done to recharge employees and prevent burnout in the workplace. Here are a few strategies for dealing with burnout in the workplace.
1.Create Realistic Goals and Expectations
When employees are met with incredible challenges and unrealistic expectations, they are likely to feel defeated, discouraged, and frustrated. It’s important that managers set realistic and achievable goals so that employees can feel like they are making progress. This might equate to breaking up large projects into smaller tasks or allowing more time to complete assignments. Doing so will allow employees to see measurable results and this will motivate them to keep going.
2. Promote a Healthy Work/Life Balance
It is important for businesses to set clear boundaries regarding their employees’ work/life balance. Promote a healthy balance by discouraging employees from working extremely long hours. Shut the business down early for holidays and give employees plenty of time to spend with family. Encourage employees to take time off when needed to attend family events or personal obligations. Make sure employees know that their personal life is important and you respect those boundaries.
3. Make Well-Being a Priority
When an organization makes employee well-being a priority, it encourages them to lead healthy personal lives as well as meaningful work lives. Support employees by offering wellness programs such as a weekly yoga class or a meditation hour. Designation a quiet space in the office where employees can go to relax and decompress. You can also motivate employees to exercise by offering employee memberships to a wellness club. Consider keeping healthy snacks in the breakroom and allowing employees to take fresh air breaks. All of these actions support a culture of wellness.
4.Create Social Opportunities
Many of today’s employees work from home, which can make it difficult for them to know when their work day stops. Furthermore, employees lack the ability to communicate with their colleagues which can leave them feeling isolated. While virtual offices certainly have their advantages, they can also present new challenges. It’s important to be proactive and look for ways to prevent feelings of burnout and isolation. One way to do this is by creating opportunities for employees to socialize. These can be virtual meetings or social outings where employees have a chance to engage with fellow coworkers. This helps to create a deeper sense of community and prevents employees from experiencing burnout.
5. Take Breaks
Encourage employees to leave an hour early on a stressful day. Allow them to come in late after a long night. Reward hard work with an extra vacation day. Schedule a team lunch or happy hour. These are all great ways to take a break from the daily grind of work life. Taking breaks is a great way to rejuvenate and refresh as a team in order to prevent work burnout.