With deadlines to meet, people to impress and expectations to exceed, white collar work can certainly be high-pressure in its nature. That’s why it’s vital for managers to have an understanding of burnout, including how it can present in employees. In this blog, we consider what is meant by burnout and measures that can be put in place to prevent it happening to colleagues within the workplace.
Defining burnout
Burnout occurs when an employee is overwhelmed and emotionally drained by work - usually because they have been pushed beyond their capacity. The prolonged stress can lead to a lack of motivation, loss of energy and overall negative outlook on life. Not only does burnout impact an individual’s productivity and enjoym
ent at work, but often spills over into their personal life. It can even cause lowered immunity and illness if left ‘untreated’.
Tell tale signs of burnout include:
-Feeling withdrawn
-Fatigue
-Lack of motivation and diminished sense of achievement
-Loss or increase in appetite
-Insomnia or shift in sleeping pattern
-Procrastination
-Substance abuse
-Frequently making mistakes at work
If you notice any of these changes in your team, it’s time to step in and address the issue.
Preventing employee burnout as a manager
As a manager you have the power to facilitate a more stress-free office environment where burnout is less likely to occur. Here are some key strategies to try:
Recognise when an employee is being stretched beyond their capacity
Has your star employee started mixing up deadlines, missing crucial client meetings and frequently making thoughtless errors? This could be a sign that they are being pushed too hard and don’t have the brainpower to perform their best across all areas. As a preventative measure, hold regular one-to-ones with your employees and ask them how they’re getting on with workload. Consider cutting down on responsibilities that are less of a priority to the company or distributing work to other staff where possible - especially if the employee shares that they are feeling overwhelmed. The key is collaborating to find a solution which benefits both parties.
Encourage employees to take annual leave
In order for your employees to work to their full capacity, it is paramount that they use all of their annual leave allowance. Lead by example and remind team members who have remaining holiday to take it. This is beneficial for the whole company as it means staff will return feeling refreshed and more motivated than ever, having had some time to switch off.
Highlight the support available
Remind employees where they can access mental health resources provided by the company if in need of support or advice.
Show your appreciation
Whether an employee has completed a project ahead of schedule or performed particularly well that week, make sure you show your appreciation and celebrate even the smallest of wins. If an employee feels they are making a genuine difference to the company, it is less likely they will feel stagnant and overlooked; mitigating the likelihood of burnout.
Be human!
It is possible to display empathy for employees who may be struggling with burnout, while still maintaining professional boundaries. Having open conversations with your team members about work-induced stress can be really effective in boosting morale and preventing burnout.
Improving employee mental health and wellbeing is essential to running a successful business and we hope you found this brief guide helpful in doing so.
Now you’ve got the skills to become an exceptional manager, why not check out our latest vacancies?
Comments