Fighting the fire of employee burnout
Burnout is a term that describes when a person feels physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It has been described as “the weariness of people who have responsibility without power”. The employee may feel exhausted from their work hours, the tasks they are assigned to do, or their work environment.
The causes of employee burnout vary, but it typically occurs when employees feel like management doesn’t understand them or hear what they say, which leads them to feel a lack of acknowledgement for their hard work. Management needs to take steps to prevent employee burnout because it will lead to high turnover rates, low morale, and decreased productivity for both the company and the individual.
The signs of employee burnout
As the American author Sam Keen once said: “Burnout is nature’s way of telling you you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed”. In this way, burnout can be defined as a sort of depersonalisation. This results in a state where people feel detached from themselves, their surroundings, and their work. They feel a low sense of personal worth and will struggle to find the motivation to work.
“30% said they wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing work stress with their manager.”
Source: A survey by Mind
The signs of employee burnout can vary from individual to individual, but some common symptoms may indicate that someone is experiencing this type of burnout. Some of the most common symptoms include feeling overwhelmed and stressed, being cynical or negative about your job, having problems concentrating, feeling exhausted, and having physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach problems.
If you’re a manager, it’s important to be on the lookout for these warning signs. In a survey by Mind, 30% of people said they wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about work stress with their manager. This is why it’s also vital to consider whether your business is fostering an environment where people can be open with their thoughts and feelings regarding the work they do.
Causes of employee burnout
There are several causes of employee burnout, but one of the most common is a feeling that they are not being heard. Employees need to feel like their voices are heard, and their contributions are recognised and appreciated. A lack of recognition or acknowledgement can lead to a feeling of devaluation, which can, in turn, lead to employee burnout.
Source: https://www.paychex.com/articles/human-resources/impact-of-employee-burnout
Another common cause of employee burnout is management's lack of understanding. If managers don't understand the pressures that employees are under or the demands of the job, they can't be expected to create a work environment that prevents employee burnout. Management must be aware of the factors that can lead to employee burnout and take decisive action.
The effects of employee burnout
If you notice burnout symptoms in your employees, it is essential to address the issue as soon as possible. In extreme cases, burnout can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. So, it's vital to identify the root of the problem and get on top of it.
In 2017, a comprehensive review of the effects of stress and burnout found significant findings to support these effects of burnout:
Physical Effects
Cardiovascular disease, resulting in increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
Musculoskeletal pain.
Prolonged fatigue.
Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases (flu, common cold, gastroenteritis).
Headaches.
Gastrointestinal problems.
Psychological Effects
Insomnia and sleep disturbances.
Depressive symptoms.
Hospitalisation for mental disorders.
Occupational Effects
Job dissatisfaction.
Drop in productivity.
Job loss.
Absenteeism.
Presenteeism.
As you can see, these effects stray well beyond those related to basic work performance. Extreme burnout can, in reality, be the catalyst for a systemic range of negative physical and psychological symptoms.
How to prevent employee burnout
If you've got this far, you would be forgiven for feeling an air of concern around burnout in both yourself and the people you manage. Fortunately, businesses can do a few things to help prevent it.
First, research, such as this article, is an excellent first step. Managers should be aware of the signs of employee burnout and take steps to address them proactively. If you let things fester and only react once issues have taken hold, it will take more effort and resources to counteract.
Second, businesses should encourage employees to take breaks and relax. This can be as simple as ensuring employees have enough downtime to do in-depth task balancing. For example, it can be beneficial to switch up the level of demand of an employee's task, whether cognitive, emotional, or physical.
“Balance is not better time management but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices.”
Betsy Jacobson
And finally, businesses should ensure that employees are satisfied with their jobs. Giving employees autonomy can give them a massive boost. If you agree with them on an expected level of output, you can grant them the freedom to achieve this in the way they see fit - without judgement. Additionally, more than 60% want their employers to take a stand on pressing issues such as climate change and equality, with organisations that tackle these issues seeing almost 100% employee satisfaction overall.
Conclusion
Employee burnout is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for people and businesses. But by understanding the signs of employee burnout, you can take steps to address them proactively and prevent it from happening in the first place.