You may have witnessed it before: an employee or colleague who used to be full of energy has become utterly bogged down and despondent. They can’t muster up their usual sense of humor. They might seem uncharacteristically negative, short-tempered, or pessimistic. More than anything, they seem exhausted; drained, as if their fuel tank is empty and it’s taking everything they have just to make it through the day.
This is what burnout looks like. And while you might have recognized these symptoms in your employee, you might also have believed that their burnout was caused by stressors and pressures in their personal life. But you’d be mistaken – because burnout starts in the workplace.
When employees are burned out, it not only threatens workplace equilibrium and productivity, but it also jeopardizes their own long-term wellbeing and happiness. That's why it's essential for employers to know what burnout is, recognize its signs and symptoms, and implement strategies to prevent it.
What is employee burnout?
If an employee is depleted on a physical, mental, and/or emotional level, they're likely suffering burnout. This condition results from chronic, relentless stress experienced at work that leaves people feeling like they can't function normally in a professional capacity.
The prevalence of employee burnout has become a leading news topic in recent years, and in May 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed burnout as an occupational phenomenon in its International Classification of Diseases.
There are certain elements that many employees cite as being sources of their workplace burnout:
Unequal or unfair expectations
Unmanageable workloads and unreasonable deadlines
Unclear requests, or requests not pertaining to their job description
Insufficient support and lack of communication from managers and team members
The one thing all these factors have in common is that they originate with the workplace, not with the worker. And that's why it's imperative for employers to lead the change in practicing how to prevent employee burnout.
What is the impact of employee burnout on business?
Burnout is a hazard of the workplace, and when it’s not actively prevented, the entire workplace suffers. The loss of productivity attributed to employee burnout is estimated to be nearly $2 trillion per year. Employee burnout can lead to apathy and cynicism towards individual and company objectives, as well as towards colleagues and managers, which has an adverse effect on co-workers and company culture as a whole.
Employees who are burned out are more likely to be late or absent. And if they do come to work, they may exhibit signs of “presenteeism” where they're physically at their workstation but mentally and emotionally checked out. And that's in addition to the costs associated with absenteeism and attrition, as employees take sick days and search for new jobs.
What can employers do to prevent and combat employee burnout?
If burnout is a workplace problem, then it requires workplace solutions. Here are five areas to focus on:
1. Make sure workloads are reasonable
When employees have to start early, stay late, and answer emails on the weekend or after hours, they're at risk of burning out. While situations could arise where extra effort is required, it should be understood that these are uncommon exceptions, and employers need to manage employee resourcing effectively.
2. Create space to rest and recharge
It's amazing what a difference a little peace and quiet can make, especially in a frantic, open-concept workspace. Dedicated areas for focused work, or silent spaces for meditation and concentration, can do wonders for employee mental health by reducing stimulation.
3. Normalize break time and exercise
Performance and productivity can decline quickly when people have been at their desks for a couple hours, but it's often difficult to step away when no one else is. Creating a culture where taking a breather is encouraged helps employees focus and deliver higher quality work.
4. Make employees feel appreciated
Boosting employee engagement can be as simple as acknowledging staff for their hard work and infusing some fun into the workday. Social events or a catered lunch on a monthly basis can improve company culture and strengthen team bonds. Tokens of gratitude, such as gift cards, are a great way to show employees that their contributions are seen and valued.
5. Offer health and wellness benefits
Along with promoting and championing mental health days, a workplace benefits program that provides access to mental health or counseling services can play a vital role in keeping burnout at bay. A meal benefits program can also eliminate a source of daily stress for employees by relieving the pressures of meal planning and preparation, while also helping ensure they have a balanced, nutritious diet.
For employers and employees, burnout is beatable
There are also actions employees can take to protect themselves from burnout. Setting boundaries at work is essential, as is asking for help. If a situation at work is unmanageable, don't suffer in silence — because you're probably not the only one struggling.
Self care is important. This can take many forms, from therapy, support groups, and apps that can help you stay grounded and mindful, to ensuring you eat foods that keep your body and mind healthy. Whole foods can supply you with energy without risking the crash that comes from highly processed foods with lots of sugar and refined carbs.
Ultimately, employers have a responsibility to manage and prevent employee burnout. Doing so is equally beneficial for employees and the business as a whole — empowering organizations to retain their workforce, attract new talent, and enable everyone to do their best work.
