As a leader of a company, you need to acknowledge the existence of burnout. Unfortunately, managing employees' burnout in the workplace is often forgotten if not neglected by a company. According to a recent survey, even though the organization supplied appropriate resources, only 20% of employees rated high engagement and significant burnout.
Burnout Meaning
Excessive and sustained stress can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, bodily, and mental weariness. When you're stressed, emotionally tired, and unable to meet constant demands, it's called burnout. As the tension mounts, you begin to lose interest in and motivation for the role of your work which you took on in the first place.
The Impact of Burnout in the Workplace
Employee burnout can result in job discontent, a loss of interest, and a lack of happiness at work. Employees that are burnt out may experience physical tiredness after their workday. They may be unsure of how to advance and better their careers. Job burnout is caused by several factors, including poor work culture, lack of work recognition or appreciation, and a lack of work-life balance. Employee burnout is an organizational issue that can affect your business if not dealt with at an early stage.
As an employer, you need to know that burnout is avoidable if you provide your company with the proper working conditions, company culture, and employee support. It would be best if you understood that burnout of employees doesn't happen overnight; it can develop gradually. It is best to implement in your company these four burnout prevention strategies that can at the same time improve the work productivity of your employees:
1. Wellness Activities
Employee wellness programs and activities can help your organization attract high-performing employees and keep them happy and productive while simultaneously reducing employee turnover. Every employer should provide wellness programs that promote mindfulness, exercise, and healthy eating. Through some wellness programs, employees can break and avoid the work burnout that just started to creep on them. There are available comprehensive resources you can implement as wellbeing support for your employees. These can build your employees' mental resilience and reduce their stress levels. In addition, employees can learn the strategies you can provide to manage the different areas of their mental and physical health.
2. Open Door Policy Company Culture
Open door policy company culture will allow the employees to come to the company's managers or upper-level management to speak about their work frustrations; this can help alleviate their stress. An open-door policy is a great way to help employees speak whatever is on their minds. You may never know they are struggling with their work assignments. Often employees may feel hesitant to approach the upper management. But, with open-door policy culture, employees may feel a strong connection that will make them happier and improve their work performance. Advisable is the one-on-one feedback meetings to make them aware that you care and value them.
3. Promote Professional and Continuous Development
As a company leader, you need to address continuous professional improvement through seminars and workshops for your employees. This is a responsibility to address any issue for the betterment of your employees. They can participate in the seminars and workshops you provide. It will make them better employees. They can perform their best in the job with the gained skills and knowledge.
4. Ignite Employees!
Let your employees shine. This will ignite their spirit and make them feel appreciated and inspired. Keep them excited about their work. Give them an appreciation for their accomplishments. Some existing companies provide their employees' recognition as a top employee of the month or employee of the year. This will work for your company too.
Dealing with employee burnout is manageable in your organization if the top leadership of the business organization at first hand provides some strategies. Burnout can be avoided by investing in the systems and standards that keep people healthy and surrounded by helpful coworkers and leaders. As a business owner or manager, it all starts with your plans and strategy.