Identifying and Addressing Burnout in the Workplace

by XPRESS, 08 May 2024

Tackling workplace burnout need not be daunting. This article offers practical steps to recognize and combat burnout, empowering you to cultivate a resilient workforce.

Burnout manifests as severe stress, leading to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, accompanied by detachment, reduced motivation, and declining performance. According to isolved's Fourth-Annual HR Trends report, a staggering 65% of employees experienced burnout in 2024, resulting in disconnection and decreased productivity for 72%.

Utilizing Employee Surveys

Employee surveys are invaluable for pinpointing stress and workload issues. Consider asking questions such as:

"Do you believe our team has sufficient resources to handle our workload?"

"Can you manage your workload without resorting to extra hours?"

"Do you feel you can maintain a healthy work-life balance here?"

"How would you rate your current mental health?"

"Do you feel overwhelmed by excessive projects and time pressures?"

"On a scale of 1 to 10, how stressed do you feel about your work?"

"Do you perceive flexibility in balancing work and personal life?"

Preventing and Addressing Burnout

MentalHealth UK's 2020 findings highlighted a significant lack of burnout awareness in workplaces, with only 23% of UK workers reporting existing plans to mitigate chronic stress. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced communication and support mechanisms. Employers should empower staff to recognize early signs of stress and declining mental health, alongside promoting available support and stress management education.

The 'Three R' strategy—Recognize, Reverse, and Resilience—offers a proactive approach. By raising awareness, establishing support systems, and promoting self-care practices, organizations can mitigate burnout risk. Wellbeing surveys and stress risk assessments provide invaluable insights, informing the development of comprehensive wellbeing plans and necessary adjustments for fostering a supportive and healthy work environment.

Understanding and addressing workplace burnout are paramount for nurturing a healthy, resilient workforce. By identifying its signs, implementing proactive strategies, and fostering transparent communication, organizations can create an environment conducive to employee well-being and sustained productivity.