Understanding & Preventing Employee Burnout
Employee burnout is a persisting problem that costs the American economy $500 billion annually. Identifying the causes of burnout is an important first step toward creating a healthy work environment. Emily Heaslip of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has some tips to address the following causes.
Workload - Overwhelming tasks and tight deadlines contribute to burnout.
By balancing assignments, promoting open communication and encouraging employees to speak up when overwhelmed, you can create an environment where employees feel heard.
Unfair Treatment - Real and perceived bias, mistreatment and favoritism are other factors that lead to burnout.
If you establish clear policies with zero tolerance for discrimination and foster inclusivity, employees will feel they are valued and treated fairly.
Lack of Recognition - Feeling undervalued is exhausting.
At Hinda, we know that providing regular positive feedback, recognizing achievements and encouraging peer-to-peer recognition is a proven way to combat burnout.
Lack of Connection - Having poor relationships with colleagues and managers is another contributing factor to burnout.
Companies should make sure to create opportunities for interaction and team-building.
Rigid Work Environment - Inflexible policies cause stress and make employees feel like cogs in a machine rather than valued members of a team.
Avoid putting stressful expectations on your employees by offering flexibility in work arrangements, trusting employees and encouraging autonomy.
Addressing these factors can help to prevent burnout. Prioritizing employee well-being improves workplace satisfaction, productivity and culture which helps foster a thriving workforce. Read Emily Heaslip’s article at https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/human-resources/top-causes-of-employee-burnout.