Employee burnout is a common issue in many organizations. If you don’t have a plan to reduce it, your employees will become frustrated, stressed, and less productive. The best way to prevent employee burnout is to develop a plan and follow through with it. Here are ten ways to reduce employee burnout in your organization.
How to reduce employee burnout in your organization
1. Offer rewards and recognition.
One way to reduce employee burnout is by adopting a reward and recognition system. Rewards can be extrinsic in the form of financial incentives, bonus vacation days, or public recognition. Intrinsic rewards are often more valuable because they create meaning and joy. For example, helping employees understand how their role directly contributes toward the mission and vision of the company.
2. Focus on teamwork.
Reducing employee burnout can also arise from developing policies and cultural norms that focus on teamwork and working towards common goals rather than individual achievement. This collaborative model will help to create a more positive work environment where employees feel like they are part of an effective team.
3. Evaluate employees' performance and satisfaction.
To reduce employee burnout, it’s essential to have an accurate and up-to-date understanding of employee performance appraisals. By understanding how employees are performing, you can make adjustments that will improve their overall effectiveness as workers. Annual evaluations should include a survey of employees' satisfaction and challenges in the workplace.
4. Create a psychologically safe environment.
Another way to reduce employee burnout is by creating an environment where employees feel appreciated and comfortable speaking up about their ideas and feelings. Each team member ought to feel they have a voice and can contribute toward common goals. But first, employees must feel psychologically safe to share what they think and feel by leaders demonstrating respect, loyalty and appreciation. A values-driven work environment will help to build trust between employees, leaders and the organization while ensuring that problems are addressed quickly and effectively.
5. Provide opportunities for growth and development.
One of the most effective ways to reduce employee burnout is by providing ample opportunity for individual growth and development. This will allow employees to learn new skills and develop their unique abilities, which will, in turn, help them become more effective and efficient workers. As a result, the organization reaps the rewards as staff become more productive, engaged and innovative.
6. Identify and reduce employee stressors.
Reducing employee stress is one of the most critical factors in preventing employee burnout. To reduce employee stress, develop and implement policies and procedures that support an environment where employees feel valued and supported in their responsibilities. Use a Burnout Assessment to understand the stressors employees experience. Simple changes can make an immense difference in employee health, satisfaction and retention.
7. Empower innovation and risk-taking.
Creating a culture that supports creativity, risk-taking, and innovation is essential to reducing employee burnout. Companies will grow to the next level when staff feel confident in trying new ideas and tackling old problems with new solutions. Employees must feel supported and encouraged to take calculated risks without fear of reprisal. The more leaders support thought leadership and innovation, the more engaged their employees will be.
8. Understand the root causes of burnout.
Reducing employee burnout in your organization begins with understanding why it occurs and then working to correct the root causes. This evaluation may involve identifying and addressing any negative systems contributing to burnout among your employees. You can do this by using the Burnout Assessment or conducting surveys and following up by interviewing your employees to learn about their experiences, challenges and frustration. Then, leadership can respond with appropriate and effective interventions, support and resources.
9. Communicate clearly and frequently.
To prevent employee burnout, leaders must have effective communication tools operational within the company. Any strategic plan, process or priority must be communicated and demonstrated by the top and most visible leaders in order to create buy-in throughout the organization. When discrepancies appear between written and stated values and how they play out among employees, a breakdown can occur. Therefore, it is essential that values are not only communicated but acted upon consistently and authentically on every level of the organization.
10. Provide effective stress-relieving training.
Reducing employee burnout in your organization can be achieved through experiential education such as stress management training, burnout prevention workshops, and resilience programs. Employees will learn techniques for self-leadership, endurance and relieving their workplace stress. Supplemental stress-relieving approaches may include providing gym memberships and incentives for healthy living. By using these opportunities to promote a healthy work environment and help employees stay focused, you can reduce the likelihood of employee burnout.
Why reducing workplace employee burnout benefits the workplace
Employees feeling overwhelmed and stressed can quickly become less productive, engaged and innovative in their company. To reduce employee burnout, creating an effective and healthy work environment in which employees feel supported and valued is vital. Additionally, create a culture where employees feel appreciated and respected even when they experience difficult times at work. This support will help to increase employees' motivation to stay healthy, produce quality work and contribute to the organization's goals.
Happy, healthy employees create organizations that thrive.
Reducing employee burnout is an essential commitment in any organization. By reducing employee burnout, you can improve the overall atmosphere of your workplace and reduce stress levels. Additionally, reducing employee burnout can lead to increased work productivity and reduced rates of turnover and resignations. To achieve these goals, it's important to understand the heart of employee burnout and address it openly, clearly and with empathy. Doing so can help reduce the risk of burnout and keep your employees happy, healthy and productive.
About the author
Bonita Eby is a Burnout Prevention Strategist, Executive Coach, and owner of Breakthrough Personal & Professional Development Inc., specializing in burnout prevention and wellness for organizations and individuals. Bonita is on a mission to end burnout. Connect with us about bringing our workshops to your organization.