Simple Steps to Avoid the “Inevitable” Burnout

With long hours and lurking deadlines, burnout can seem like the inevitable consequence to the demands of the workplace. But there are things that organizations can do, by working to enhance how employees are managed by leaders, to prevent the inevitable burnout. It is possible to create a workplace that allows employees to experience less burnout because they are supported in their work and feel connected to their team and leader. By performing work that is in line with clear and meaningful goals employees can actually thrive. The outcome of this type of action allows an employee to flourish and perform their best, leading to sustained productivity and growth for an organization.

Did you know? Failure to address burnout results in employees who are very often or always burned out are:

• 63% more likely to take a sick day
• 23% more likely to visit the emergency room
• twice as likely to strongly agree that the demands of their job interferes with their family life

The main factors that cause employee burnout, according to Gallup (Ben Wigert and Sangeet Agrawal), have to do with how someone is managed at the workplace. Burnout affects organization decision making, customer service, quality control, creativity and innovation. Above all, it is important to remember that employees want to work hard and be productive contributors to a business. Start with the following suggestions provided in a three part series by Gallup.

To reduce burnout, leaders can focus on…

• Fair treatment at work
• Manageable workloads
• Role clarity
• Ongoing communication and support from manager
• Manageable time pressure for employee work

Source: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/237059/employee-burnout-part-main-causes.aspx

Benchmark 1: Profile of Supportive Leader
Supportive leaders for employee wellness recognize good work, focus on strengths, and consistently communicate the connection between the broader purposes of the organization and the employee wellness strategy.

Take these next steps…

• Listen to work-related problems
• Encourage teamwork
• Make everyone’s opinion count
• Make work purposeful
• Focus on development toward employee strengths

Source: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/237119/employee-burnout-part-2-managers.aspx

Benchmark 6: 5 Practices to Consider in Creating Supportive Environments
“People will change behavior to reflect their environments. Therefore, if you want healthy people, simply create healthy environments.”
— Thomas Golaszewski, The Chameleon Theory

Actions organizations can take for a supportive workplace…

• Place performance expectations and metrics within an employee’s control
• Reduce noise and interruptions
• Design jobs to allow for autonomy
• Evaluate workspace lighting
• Provide collaboration spaces that are inviting

Source: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/237185/employee-burnout-part-organizations-stop-burnout.aspx

Organizations that provide leadership training to identify factors that cause burnout and then how to prevent it are making an important investment in not only their employees but their business as a whole. Find out how you can make a difference with burnout in your organization by downloading our quick guide.

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Use this interactive Quick Guide to explore 5 strategies to beat burnout. Suitable for practitioners and those they serve.

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