Employees working amidst an ongoing global pandemic may be more prone to burnout than before Covid-19 happened. Good employers are cautious and therefore always on the lookout for ways to stay ahead of potential burnouts and maintain productivity levels. After all, when burnout sets in, it’s not just productivity that suffers. Morale also takes a hit, and it’s not uncommon for employees to start becoming nonchalant.
Due to constraints brought about by quarantine that have been going on for a long time now, the usual activities that alleviate stress and help us relax from our daily routine are suddenly out of our reach. Amidst growing calls for more physical distancing and remote working, it’s no longer as simple as treating the team to lunch or throwing an end-of-the-quarter, company-wide get-together.
In this post, we dissect the basics of employee burnout and how smart employers can get ahead of them to avoid bigger problems down the line.
What Is Employee Burnout?
Employee burnout is experiencing emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. The combination of feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and inability to meet continuous demands leads to burnout. In the end, employees may feel that they have nothing more to give to their work.
The World Health Organization (WHO) labels burnout as an “occupational phenomenon,” and they classify it as a disease. According to them, it is the result of chronic workplace stress that’s not successfully managed.
Since this occupational phenomenon can happen in any line of business, employers need to do something about it to keep their workforce healthy and happy.
With that in mind, here are some strategies you can use to help your employees overcome burnout this year:
1. Reduce Pressure From Deadlines
The pressure of meeting deadlines is one reason why employees feel overwhelmed with a sense of dread as the date looms closer. Check on your employees regularly on their time-bound tasks and look for signs of overwhelm and disinterest. Evaluate your system and try to find points in the system that you can improve to alleviate the pressure.
2. Promote Work-Life Balance
Promoting work-life balance in the workplace means removing the stigma associated with taking days off or sick days. When employees feel that they won’t be judged for taking some time off, and when they know that their employers encourage life outside of work, they are more willing to utilize their off days for other aspects of their lives — family, travel, rest, etc.
3. Host Wellness Events
Give your employees something to look forward to every week or every month, like virtual yoga classes or fitness challenges. Hosting virtual wellness events doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. Simple events that promote camaraderie and encourage employees to let their hair down can go a long way in reducing stress.
4. Offer Sources of Information
Educating your employees about burnout and how to deal with it can go a long way. Some employees may be too busy to look for information, while some may not even know what burnout is and are already experiencing it. Giving them information will help them in recognizing it themselves and offer suggestions on how to alleviate it.
5. Give Mental Breaks in a Work Day
Assess a typical workday in your office and find ways to insert mini mental breaks for employees. Some employees may be hesitant to leave their tasks for the day. But if a system is put in place where they’re encouraged to step away from work for even a few minutes, they’ll feel more refreshed afterward and ready to dive back into work.
6. Recognition and Rewards
Increase your employees’ motivation at work and reward their productivity. It’s easy for employees to feel burnt out when they feel unrecognized or underappreciated. Showing that you are happy and that you care can reduce their work-related stress.
Apart from burnout, anxiety is also common these days. Check out these 8 anxiety management techniques your employees should know.
Conclusion
As an employer, it falls on your shoulders to take care of your employees since they are your company’s assets. This year can be even more challenging because the uncertainty and restrictions due to the pandemic can add to the toll on your employees’ mental health. Finding ways to prevent employee burnout will ensure an increase in productivity and lesser employee turnover.
WellHealth Works can help you maintain a healthy, active workplace
Talk to us today about your employee wellness needs. We offer a full suite of health programs for the workplace, including flu shots, biometric screenings, Covid-19 checks, and many more. Call us now at 833-935-9355 to get started.
