Avoiding Employee Burnout

It’s no secret that 2020 has been tough on individuals and businesses. With stresses like working from home, business model changes, and potential loss of income or added hours of work, it can be easy for an employee to become tired or burnt out at work.

As an employer, it may not be your responsibility to ensure your employees are at optimal happiness levels 24/7, but there are ways you can check in with employees to ensure they feel supported at work.

Connectedness
Establishing a culture of communication and connection is important for members of your team. Transparency regarding the business allows employees to feel more connected and invested in the growth and success of the company. Ownership of one’s role allows them to feel connected to their workplace as well as their co-workers. This can be distributed through weekly emails, in-person meetings, or small quarterly retreats.

Flexible Hours
If there is anything we have learned during the pandemic, it’s that flexibility does not always mean loss in productivity. In these times, it is not uncommon for parents of young children to have to adapt to changing school schedules, or for individuals to attend more doctor appointments than usual. Flexibility for employees will help them to appreciate their work environment more. As long as there is an emphasis on deadlines being met and projects being completed, the hours in which those are completed does not have to be top priority for every company.

Time Off
Most companies have a time off policy for their employees. Encourage your employees to take time off for vacation, staycation, or a simple mental health day. According to the Washington Post, only 55% of Americans use all their PTO. Let your employees know that time off is not only important to their families, but to you as well. Employees who come back to work after time off are more likely to be productive and avoid burnout.

Employee Reviews
Too often employers make assumptions about how their staff is doing in the workplace. They may see their outward performance, but do they know how their staff feels about their role or their salary? Are they facing challenges that you may not have thought of before? What are their goals and ambitions? Allowing employees to share their experiences, express concerns, and have goals for the future will lift their spirits and work harder for your company.