Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress; according to Verywellmind.com, burnout is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of reduced professional ability.
It is real enough to have a significantly negative effect on one’s physical and mental health. It can also have a negative impact on a company’s bottom line. Workplace burnout was a serious problem before the pandemic, and it has grown exponentially, according to a 2021 article on Forbes.com.
Employees are burning out for many reasons, but the main causes cited in a recent Gallup Poll include not having enough time to complete their work, and lack of communication and support from their manager. Lack of clarity about their role or job duties, not having enough time for a personal life lack of balance, and feeling like they are being treated unfairly by their boss. Not surprisingly, employees who feel strongly supported by their manager are 70% less likely to experience burnout.
What it Looks Like
As a manager or business owner, you’ll see some of your team becoming more withdrawn, irritable, and angry. You will also see decreased morale, apathy, decline in job performance, and increased conflict between workers. More importantly, you will see higher rates of absenteeism due to mental health concerns (anxiety and depression), insomnia, and increased misuse of alcohol and other substances. That’s why turnover rates are so high in the workplace, and
why it’s increasingly difficult to recruit and retain quality staff.
Identify and Address employee burnout through support and communications
What Employers Can Do?
If you want to reduce burnout in your workplace, according to Canadian workplace mental health advocates, Workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com, leaders should take the following steps:
- Have open and honest conversations with your employees about their wellness.
- Have open and honest conversations with your employees about
their wellness.
- Provide clear work expectations and ensure they are understood.
- Provide ongoing training to maintain competency.
- Be respectful and empathetic and acknowledge employee contributions.
- Enforce reasonable work hours and realistic work expectations.
- Foster a culture of mutual support and respect in the workplace.
- Support physical activity and taking breaks throughout the workday. m
Walk the Talk
Burnout is a reversible condition. If you want to support employees who may be struggling, be empathetic and understanding, listen to their concerns, and take immediate action to support them.
This may mean adopting changes to the work environment, providing flexible work schedules and
And helping employees return to work after being on leave.
Employers should also help their teams learn stress management techniques and healthy lifestyle practices that can help them cope and be more resilient in their lives.
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Kumud Gandhi is a Nutritional Food Scientist bestselling Author, Broadcaster, and Keynote Speaker on the subject of nutritional health for productivity & performance in the workplace. In 2010 Kumud founded ‘The Cooking Academy’ a cookery school that focusses on cooking for nutritional health and wellbeing. Kumud regularly presents to international audiences on a variety of topics such as ‘Eating for Immunity and a Lifetime of Wellness’. She is an expert in the field of Wellness in the Workplace and works with organizations to create transformational change in employee health & well-being through nutrition and health coaching.
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