Are they doing okay, given their workload? Are you supporting them in the best possible ways?

Sometimes, the daily grind of beating deadlines and catching up with increasingly hectic schedules can push people to their limits, leaving them tired, frustrated, and completely burnt out at work.

Employee burnout is the experience of chronic, unmanaged workplace stress that involves physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared burnout an occupation phenomenon in its 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. 

One person’s burnout can ripple out to other team members, impacting your company culture and even contributing to staff turnover.

Here are some tips for preventing employee burnout at your workplace:

1.   Monitor workloads & scheduling

Ensure your team members aren’t overloaded with tasks or working hours that stretch their bandwidth too thin.

Assignment volume naturally spikes sometimes, but you shouldn’t expect your employees to carry heavy workloads all the time or work demanding schedules for prolonged periods and still remain satisfied – or even effective – at their jobs.

If you can offer flexibility around when work is completed, you give your staff more agency to prioritize their own scheduling and deliverables.

2.   Promote work-life balance

Your employees need (and deserve) to have a life outside of the office, whether it’s taking time off for a trip, a family occasion, or even self-care.

You can offer this kind of support from an organizational level by incorporating it into your company culture. Prioritizing early sign-offs, unplugging after work hours, creating relaxation spaces in the office, or accommodating flexible work schedules can help encourage a healthy work-life balance.

Preventing burnout is a shared responsibility of employers and managers. It’s just as important as a business’ results and numbers – arguably more important. After all, you can’t hit your numbers without your people.

Creating and respecting work-life boundaries can put a lot of burnout out of the picture.

3.   Equip your managers

Managers are your direct downline, so they play a big role in employee engagement and retention. 

Poorly-equipped managers can cause stress and drive employees out the door. Company leaders should be trained properly and equipped with useful management skills and the resources they need.

Managers should encourage feedback, goal-setting, and open communication. They should also task assignments appropriately, facilitate collaboration, make a concerted effort to reduce stress at work, and offer support and recognition to their team.

4.   Increase communication and connection

Stay connected and engage with your employees by communicating openly with them. Mitigate the stressors your team might be facing wherever possible.

Checking in with your team members is a simple but highly effective way to show support and interrupt the progression of burnout.

Create a safe space for your employees to heard. Let them submit group feedback surveys or offer periodic 1:1 meetings with your team members. Listen actively and respond to their concerns with empathy, humility, and actionable changes.

5.   Make wellbeing part of your culture

Organizational culture plays a big role in your team’s experience at the workplace.

When a business makes an effort to prioritize wellbeing in its culture and provides support for employees to live healthier lives, work feels more like a place you want to be, and less like a place you have to go to.

Companies can offer training and workshops on ways to enhance productivity without burning out.

Implementing other wellness programs such as fitness memberships, ergonomics, general counseling, and mental health PTO can also help encourage people to focus on their health. 

Another solid way you can support your staff’s wellness is to offer a benefits package that includes a reliable, affordable health plan from HealthChoice of Michigan.

With a flat rate of $240/month per employee, regardless of age or gender, you can afford to get the best coverage for your team with the lowest out-of-pocket costs. You can even offer an additional rider for dental and optical benefits.

HealthChoice of Michigan is a Wayne-County-powered program providing affordable health plans for Wayne and Oakland County business owners and their employees.

We are part of an extensive network of Metro Detroit's most respected physicians and hospitals. Our plans cover the basics, from annual check-ups to emergency care services.

Beat employee burnout and put your team’s overall wellness at the top of your priority list.

Remember: Your employees’ success is your success, too. Keeping your staff mentally, physically and financially healthy is good for them – and your business! 

Paying attention to workloads, encouraging feedback and bringing wellness firmly into your company culture can go a long way towards keeping your best employees happy and doing their best work for years to come.

Learn more about how we can keep your organization healthy and well with our Small Business Plans or get in touch for more information and to start your application today.