Properly managing employee burnout can seem a daunting task; however, it is imperative when supporting workplace wellbeing. Burnout has been on the rise every year, with as many as 9 in 10 people experiencing high/extreme stress in the last year. Managing employee burnout and learning the common causes and signs is more critical than ever when developing a healthy work environment.
What is Employee Burnout?
Employee burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that is caused by prolonged, unmanaged workplace stress. It goes further than regular fatigue and bleeds into workplace attitudes, causing a whole host of workplace issues..
Effectively managing employee burnout can be critical to the overall success of your business, as without it, you may see higher staff turnover, lower productivity, and lower energy. In some cases, it can also cause further medical issues for the employees if not taken seriously.
The Common Causes and Symptoms of Burnout
A great start in learning how to manage employee burnout is by understanding the common causes and symptoms that follow. It is important to further recognise that employee burnout isn’t always caused within the workplace.
Causes of burnout include an excessive workload as well as unrealistic deadlines; these issues can lead to a lack of work-life balance and cause deep stress for the employee. Ensuring employees have the opportunity to engage in a rich work-life balance is important in managing employee burnout. It allows for recharge and rest between shifts and improves production and engagement.
Further causes include unclear job expectations and a lack of support/recognition. Experienced HR services, like those offered by Blue Tree HR Solutions, can help in managing employee burnout by ensuring employees are confident in their position and have the necessary tools in place to gain support.
Symptoms of burnout include chronic fatigue and irritability; these can impact the workplace and lead to a trend of absenteeism and clashes between employees. Employee burnout creates a cynicism towards the workplace that not only affects the employee but, with decreased production, can affect the company.
Managing Employee Burnout with HR Services
Professional HR services can be advantageous in managing employee burnout, giving employees the tools to reach out for support and avoid the effects of burnout.
Having visible and accessible HR services integrated into your company, whether you decide ad hoc HR or retained HR is best for your business model, can be beneficial in managing employee burnout, as it offers clear channels of support. At Blue Tree HR Solutions, we offer an employee assistance programme, with Health Assured, which offers counselling and mental health support to those struggling.
Other ways of preventing and managing employee burnout include having consistent 1-1 meetings with team members and addressing any concerns or confusion they may have surrounding their job role and expectations that follow.
Furthermore, training managers on the warning signs and effects of burnout is an underrated tool in managing workplace wellbeing. This allows HR personnel to check in with any employee who may be struggling, reinforcing a strong burnout-resistant workplace.
Further ways to improve workplace wellbeing are ensuring that after-work hours are respected and employees are not expected to answer any calls or messages during their time off, while also ensuring that work schedules follow employee regulations and support a nourishing work-life balance.
Join Us Today to Support Your Employees
Having expert HR services on hand, whether ad hoc HR or retained HR, is critical for a healthy workplace and can have a range of benefits, including increased production and a healthier environment.
For more information on our HR services or for more advice on general HR or how to manage employee burnout, do not hesitate to contact us today. The prevention of employee burnout is a shared responsibility, so let us help!