Employee burnout is a serious problem that affects millions of workers worldwide. Learn about the causes, consequences and potential solutions for this workplace phenomenon.
Employee burnout is a term that has been gaining more attention in recent years especially since the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as an occupational phenomenon.
There are many employee burnout stories since Covid-19 which has brought this phenomenon onto a worldwide stage.
“I’m an Amazon delivery driver — when COVID-19 first hit, my workload somewhat increased, but was manageable. But since October 2020, I’ve been getting double the amount of work or more, and I’m expected to do 10-hour shifts in six hours. Mind you, I don’t get any breaks or lunch, so I’m always pretty much running to each stop for six to seven hours. I come home all sore and just eat and sleep, and on my days off, I’m too exhausted to do anything.”
But what exactly is employee burnout and why should you care?
Employee burnout is a state of chronic stress that leads to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment and reduced effectiveness at work. It can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed, overworked or even underappreciated by their job.
There are many signs identified by psychologists but some of the common signs of employee burnout are:
Feeling tired or drained most of the time
Losing interest or motivation in your work
Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Becoming more irritable or angry with coworkers, customers or clients
Experiencing frequent headaches, backaches or other physical ailments
Having trouble sleeping or falling ill more often
Feeling helpless, hopeless or trapped in your job
Isolating yourself from others or using unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol, drugs (or even binge eating!)
The key thing to note here is that employee burnout is not just a personal problem. It can have serious consequences for both individuals and organizations.
According to various research studies, employee burnout can lead to:
Increased absenteeism, turnover and health care costs
Lower productivity, performance and dip in customer satisfaction
Higher rates of errors, accidents and conflicts
Reduced creativity, innovation and collaboration
Damaged reputation and employer brand
Data studies indicate that employee burnout is a global crisis that affects millions of workers across different industries and countries.
According to a survey by Robert Half in 2022, 44% of employees reported feeling more burned out than a year ago. Another survey by Future Forum in 2023 found that 42% of global workers experienced burnout during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the industries with the highest burnout rates are hospitality, health care, education and technology.
So, the key question now is — what can be done to prevent and reduce employee burnout?
The answer to this question is not simple or easy! While individual coping strategies like yoga, meditation or hobbies can help relieve some stress but they are not enough to address the root causes of burnout.
Employee burnout is a workplace problem that requires organizational solutions.
According to experts like Michael Leiter and Christina Maslach, who have been studying burnout for decades, employee burnout is caused by a mismatch between the person and the job in one or more of the following areas:
Workload: The amount and intensity of work demands exceed the person’s resources and capacity.
Control: The person has little or no autonomy or influence over their work tasks, environment or outcomes.
Reward: The person receives insufficient or inadequate recognition, compensation, or benefits for their work efforts.
Community: The person lacks social support, trust or respect from their coworkers or managers.
Fairness: The person perceives injustice, discrimination or favoritism in their work policies or practices.
Values: The person’s personal values or goals are incompatible with those of the organization or the job.
To be able to prevent and reduce employee burnout, there is a huge responsibility on organizations where they need to address these mismatches and create a more positive and supportive work environment.
Some of the possible actions that organizations can take are:
Assessing the level and sources of employee burnout through surveys, interviews or focus groups
Providing realistic and reasonable work expectations and deadlines
Giving employees more autonomy and flexibility over their work schedules and methods
Offering fair and competitive compensation and benefits
Recognizing and rewarding employees for their achievements and contributions
Providing regular feedback and coaching for employee development
Fostering a culture of trust, respect and collaboration among employees and managers
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace
Aligning organizational values and goals with those of employees
Encouraging employees to take breaks, vacations and sick days when needed
Providing access to mental health resources and support services
In summary, employee burnout can have negative impacts on both individuals and organizations. The good news is that employee burnout is not irreversible. It can be remediated with focused efforts from intended parties, transparency and necessary support.
By taking proactive steps to address the causes and consequences of employee burnout, organizations can create a healthier and happier workplace for everyone.
Is there a similar situation in your workplace?
Share your comments and tips on how you or your coworkers are dealing with it.
Share this post with someone you think is suffering from employee burnout, give them a chance to course-correct!
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