How to Combat Employee Burnout

It shouldn’t be surprising to CEOs and business owners that in our current workplace environment, many hard-working employees are experiencing—or on the verge of experiencing—burnout. Too many projects, too many work-hours, too little time; all these factors contribute to high degrees of workplace stress. Left unaddressed, this can lead to mental and physical fatigue and a drop in engagement and motivation.

That’s the worst-case scenario. The good news is, employers and their management team can take steps to combat burnout and, in the process, boost morale and retention. Here are action steps to consider:

Interact with your team members.

A leader who rarely interacts with employees can easily lose touch and fail to detect warning signs of burnout. Meaningful conversations can help rectify this problem and make a huge difference in employee attitude. Find ways to communicate with team members (and, just as importantly, listen to what they have to say), so they better understand what’s expected of them and what resources are available to keep them from feeling overwhelmed. 

Through these conversations, you can learn more about their perceived workplace challenges and how, working together, these challenges can be overcome.

Make sure your managers and supervisors model the desired behavior.

“If a manager is not engaged or effectively managing workplace stress, their team is likely less engaged and could be experiencing the effects of their manager’s stress,” notes Gallup. Check in with your team leaders. Gauge their own susceptibility to stress and burnout. Make sure they have sufficient assistance for maintaining their own well-being, so they can help others.

Offer an effective employee assistance program.

Many businesses now provide some form of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in their workplace. These programs are specifically designed to help improve employees’ mental and emotional well-being. 

As HR Morning notes, EAP can take the form of “assessments, counseling, and referrals for additional services to employees with personal and/or work-related counseling, and referrals for additional services to employees with stress, financial issues, legal issues, family problems, office conflicts, and alcohol and substance disorders.” 

Such a program is only as good as the level of participation. It’s up to employers to assure workers there is nothing wrong with seeking this type of assistance, and that they support all efforts to make use of these resources. Communicate your support in all-staff meetings, through email communications, and when possible, individual conversations.

Promote career advancement.

As we have noted in the past, “Implementing career development paths and mentoring programs can have a huge positive effect on employee motivation and productivity.” After all, if a talented and ambitious team member wants to move upward within the organization, he or she will work hard to overcome burnout and prepare themselves for advancement—if a genuine pathway exists.

Supporting career growth also demonstrates a business leader’s commitment to their workforce and recognizes that they are more important to you beyond the status quo of their current position.

Stay focused on employee engagement.

Of all the different aspects of a business leader’s job, few are as vital as ensuring your employees remain engaged with their work. Individuals who feel the company they work for “has their back” are less susceptible to workplace stress, and more willing to seek assistance if things become too overwhelming.

That’s why it’s vital to “foster gratitude and a sense of belonging,” notes Forbes. “When employees feel valued and can create meaningful relationships with their team, it is very effective for minimizing burnout and attrition.” Look for every opportunity to thank your team and/or specific individuals for their contributions to organizational growth. Offer praise in both a public and private setting so team members see for themselves that your company values their efforts.

Want to learn more about boosting employee morale and decreasing burnout? Check out our free TAB Boss Webinar, “Employee Motivation That Works.”