One of the primary drivers of the "Great Resignation", workplace burnout refers to the seemingly sudden shift from dedication and determination to desperation and indifference; employees, managers, executives, and even unpaid volunteers are all potential candidates for burnout.
What might sound like malingering or shirking is a real phenomenon impacting organizations of all shapes and sizes. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce or even eliminate burnout among your team. The following are six effective ways to help your team avoid burnout:
Software
The easiest way for organizations to reduce burnout is to augment their operations with the latest software. From worship planning software for religious organizations to performance management software for profit-driven businesses, there are many applications aimed at helping organizations avoid the sorts of situations that contribute to burnout. For instance, planning software helps leaders to more evenly distribute tasks among workers, while performance software helps detect changes in an employee's productivity.
Feedback
Workplace feedback is a two-way street, especially when it comes to using feedback to avoid burnout. Employers can provide helpful advice and practical suggestions to those struggling to keep up with their workload, meanwhile, employees can alert their supervisors to work overloads and other hallmarks of burnout. With that said, feedback systems should be standardized and regulated. Set aside one hour for each employee each month for exchanging feedback, with each worker allotted an additional "emergency" session if they so desire.
Onboarding
We're all guilty of pretending to be more proficient at something we are not. It's not unusual for new employees or those being trained to do new tasks to "fake it until they make it." Unfortunately, those who never reach the "make it" phase are at extreme risk of burnout. What's more, they're all but guaranteed to do an inferior job. With this in mind, take time to go over the onboarding process to make sure your team is truly capable and qualified to get the work done.
Scheduling
The best way to help your team avoid burnout is to provide them with practical, realistic work schedules. While it might require trial and error during the startup phase, business owners should soon determine appropriate workloads combined with sensible work schedules. Recognize average to above-average metrics and use those as a baseline going forward. In other words, job performance shouldn't be graded on a curve; just because one worker goes above and beyond without cracking under pressure doesn't mean everyone else is capable of that level of performance.
Freedom
The past few years have seen a massive uptick in the number of people working from home on their own time. While not every organization can feasibly let their team work where they want and when they want, providing that option when possible helps provide a safety valve of sorts for avoiding burnout. Is someone stressed before they even clock in because of awful traffic? Let them get the work done at home. Is someone putting up better numbers when allowed to work odd hours? Read the room and grant them the freedom to work their own hours. Again, it's not always feasible, but it's becoming increasingly possible.
Encouragement
A few words of encouragement can go a long way, especially for those who feel like they're approaching the brink of a nervous breakdown. It provides them with light at the end of the tunnel by reminding them of their value and what their hard work means. By noticing and recognizing their dedication, you provide significant motivation. While nobody wants or needs insincere compliments or phony applause, everyone feels better after receiving genuine praise for their talents and dedication. With this in mind, take the time to provide your team with encouraging words as much as possible.
Workplace burnout is becoming a huge problem for organizations around the world. While the exact causes vary from one setting to another, the general consensus is that burnout stems from an organizational failure to recognize limits, appreciate talent, and develop reasonable expectations. By taking time to ensure these factors are not ignored and instead promoted, the rate of burnout will drop.
Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys covering topics related to business, finance, health, and travel.
