At the heels of the pandemic, burnout is plaguing the workplace. In a work survey by Deloitte, 77% of surveyed professionals said they experienced burnout at their current job. Causes for burnout include demanding workloads, toxic workplace culture and lack of support.
Company leaders are desperately looking for ways to minimize burnout and retain existing talent. One strategy they’ve embraced is expanding vacation policies. Organizations such as LinkedIn, Hootsuite and Bumble have introduced weeklong, company-wide shutdowns for employees to decompress. PwC has gone even further, offering cash incentives to employees who take 40 consecutive hours of time off.
So, does vacation alone prevent burnout? Experts argue there’s a better way.
Time off simply isn’t cutting it, and employees aren’t feeling reinvigorated after a break. Extra vacation time is only a temporary band-aid for an ongoing issue. It’s time to fix the many structural problems in organizations that cause burnout, and vacation isn’t the answer. In this article, we will be discussing steps employees can take to safeguard themselves from burnout, along with the measures leaders can take to ensure their employees’ wellness.
Encourage Open Communication
When appropriately executed, company culture is the most critical part of a company’s success. Fostering a culture that encourages open discussion and communication can significantly minimize burnout.
A survey by Maestro Health showed that many employees felt uncomfortable talking to their supervisors about their mental health. Why? They may fear being seen as incapable of doing their job or feel it’s their responsibility to manage burnout symptoms.
Employees should never feel alone in managing their burnout. Instead, employers should provide better support and engage in more direct conversations around burnout.
Consider if your organization has room for improvement in terms of communication. It is essential to create an environment where managers actively listen; employees feel comfortable speaking up, including asking for feedback and showing concern to remind employees that you value them and care about their wellbeing. It also means getting to know your employees beyond their role in the company. By championing a culture of honest and open communication, your organization can increase employee engagement and minimize the effects of burnout.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Many employees feel that they’re facing bigger workloads than before the pandemic. All that extra work only amplifies the effects of burnout. Furthermore, employees reported their number one contributor to burnout is taking on an increased workload. Whether you’re working in-person, remotely, or a hybrid of the two, setting boundaries at work can improve productivity and protect you against burnout.
There are several strategies employees must consider when establishing healthy work boundaries. Making a list of priorities is a great start. Once you’ve set your priorities, learning to say no is a powerful way to enforce your boundaries and keep your goals a priority. Just as managers should encourage open communication, employees should also communicate their boundaries to their team. For example, if you’re off at a particular time every day, make sure your team is informed. If you only answer emails during specific hours, make a note in your company’s calendar. Your ability to communicate your boundaries effectively can make all the difference in minimizing stress and preventing burnout.
Implement Wellness Initiatives
Your organization’s corporate wellness program also plays an integral role in reducing burnout. It is vital to structure your work environment to ensure employees have the tools and support to succeed in their roles. One way to accomplish this is implementing wellness activities into the workweek. Stress workshops, nutrition counseling, and yoga, among other programs, can do wonders for boosting productivity and improving overall employee wellness. Even a simple weekly team lunch can help employees break away and form stronger bonds with coworkers.
In addition to wellness programs, HR leaders and managers should make a concerted effort to encourage employees to take breaks. Taking regular breaks promotes creativity and reduces the stress and anxiety that often accompany work-related tasks. Implementing flexible schedules may also alleviate burnout for your organization. The traditional 9-5 no longer exists due to remote work, proving it is more important now than ever to give employees leeway when setting their schedules. Flexibility in the workplace goes a long way in letting employees know their value.
To learn more about ways to solve burnout, check out our blog on Three Tips to Combat Remote Work Burnout!
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