Top tips for tackling employee burnout

The World Health Organization describes burnout as a syndrome “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”. [1]

This long-term fatigue can lead to physical and mental health problems. What’s more, if you burn out, you may feel psychologically trapped and exhausted by the pressure. Here’s how to identify, prevent and tackle burnout in your team.
 

Know the warning signs

It's important to recognize that employee burnout can and does happen. So, be on the lookout for the warning signs in your team. Burnout is often characterized by increased absenteeism and ill-health.

But you may notice changes in people’s behavior, too. They include cynicism and feeling unduly irritated by colleagues. Employees experiencing burnout may display signs of chronic fatigue, anger, self-criticism, negativity and a sense of being besieged.

Of course, it’s better to spot the subtler signs before they escalate into the above. Siobhán Murray, author of The Burnout Solution, identifies these pre-burnout symptoms to watch out for:

• Ongoing anxiety or restlessness even when a challenging time or project comes to an end.
• Feeling work has little value. People may withdraw from projects they were previously passionate about.
• Poor performance and reduction in the quality of work. [2]

If you notice any of these signs, ask to speak to the individual concerned and find out what you can do to help.
 

Keep track of people’s workloads

Of course, the above warning signs aren’t always easy to spot. People may keep issues bottled up, and it’s also harder to see behavior changes if your team is working remotely.

That’s why it’s important that you regularly check in with your team members – and ensure their workloads are manageable. It’s also a good idea to revisit and clearly define everyone’s roles and responsibilities from time to time. Indeed, a 2018 Gallup study of 7,500 US workers found unmanageable workloads and a lack of clarity about roles are the main causes of burnout. [3]

If your people have high pressure roles, try rotating them out of exhausting positions for less stressful tasks, if practical to do so. It's also counterproductive for people to work long hours for extended periods of time. That’s because their productivity and efficiency levels will start to drop.

A change of pace can shift energy levels too, by taking the pressure off and allowing people to replenish and revitalize.
 

Encourage a support network

If you’re a manager, it may not be easy for employees to open up to you about work and personal pressures. It’s important to let them know you’re there to listen. But equally, you should encourage team members to talk to one another in person or virtually and seek each other’s support, particularly during times of pressure. This can help prevent feelings of isolation that can contribute to employee burnout.

If you're concerned about a team member, you might refer them to internal sources of support such as your HR department, a staff counsellor, occupational health service, or employee assistance helpline.

You can also point people to mindfulness apps such as Headspace to help ease stress. And mental health support charities such as Mind in the UK and Mental Health America.

Where appropriate, encourage employees to make use of external support networks too, such as family, friends or professional contacts. Connecting with people outside the organization provides an outlet for people to let off steam or talk candidly about work pressures.
 

Consider professional coaching

Regular sessions with a coach, if practical, can also be a good way to help an employee in danger of burnout. Coaching can enable the team member to identify and address the underlying factors and behaviors that lead to them feeling unable to cope.

By giving the employee space and time to reflect in a non-judgmental setting, they can find new ways of thinking and doing. This helps to minimize stress, develop and grow.
 

Set a positive example

If you work long hours, consider the impact this has on your team. If they feel compelled to follow your lead, this can create a negative culture of presenteeism.*

So, set a positive example by clocking off at a reasonable time and ensuring your team members do the same. You should encourage people to take regular breaks, too, and eat lunch away from their workstations.

Annual leave is also important to help people recharge physically and mentally from the stresses of the workplace. Nudge people to take their full quota of holidays. Even if ‘getting away’ right now is loafing on the sofa.