According to Forbes, in 2022, more than four million American workers quit their jobs each month. Additionally, a survey found that 70% of C-suite executives have considered leaving their jobs to find a company that prioritizes their mental health and well-being.
Workplace burnout is a common problem affecting many employees in the modern business world. It is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion resulting from chronic work-related stress. Overworking your employees can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, poor quality work, decreased employee engagement, and high turnover rates.
In this blog, we will explore six signs of overworked employees and provide tips on how to prevent burnout in your workplace.
What is Employee burnout?
Employee burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress in the workplace. It is often accompanied by a feeling of reduced personal accomplishment, cynicism, and detachment from work.
It’s like being stuck in a never-ending loop of work stress and exhaustion. It’s like that feeling you get when you accidentally hit the snooze button on Monday morning and now you’re running late for a meeting, except it lasts for weeks or even months. Basically, it’s when work becomes overwhelming and drains all your energy, leaving you feeling like a deflated balloon. So, don’t forget to take breaks and refill your energy tank, or else you’ll end up feeling like a soggy noodle!
Signs of overworked employees
Decreased Productivity
One of the most common signs of an overworked employee is decreased productivity. When an employee is overworked, they may struggle to complete tasks on time, make errors, and fail to meet deadlines. This can lead to decreased productivity and a negative impact on the business.
To prevent burnout related to decreased productivity, employers can consider providing support for time management and task prioritization, as well as ensuring that employees have manageable workloads. Employers can also offer training to help employees manage their time and set realistic expectations for what can be accomplished in a workday.
Increased Absenteeism
Each year, workplace stress in the United States results in the loss of 550 million workdays, with an estimated cost of more than $500 billion to the economy.
When employees are overworked, they may experience physical and mental health problems, leading to increased absenteeism. Employees may call in sick more often, take longer breaks, or even quit their job altogether.
To prevent burnout related to increased absenteeism, employers can offer support for employee well-being through wellness programs, mental health resources, and flexible work arrangements. Employers can also encourage employees to take time off when needed, and provide clear policies and expectations for taking time off work.
Poor Quality Work
When employees are overworked, they may rush to complete tasks, leading to poor-quality work. This can lead to errors, delays, and missed deadlines, which can have a negative impact on the business.
To prevent burnout related to poor quality work, employers can provide clear expectations and deadlines for projects, as well as training and support for employees to develop their skills and knowledge. Employers can also offer feedback and recognition for quality work, and provide opportunities for employees to take breaks and recharge.
Decreased Employee Engagement
When employees are overworked, they may become disengaged and less committed to their work. They may lose motivation and feel less connected to their colleagues and the organisation.
To prevent burnout related to decreased employee engagement, employers can provide opportunities for professional development, feedback, and recognition. Employers can also foster a positive work culture that values work-life balance, employee well-being, and open communication.
A Gallup poll conducted in 2022 found that more than half of American workers surveyed were “not engaged” in their jobs, leading to early retirements, resistance to returning to the office, or seeking new job opportunities. Another trend, known as “quiet quitting,” has emerged where employees choose to stay in their jobs but reduce their work time and effort to only do the bare minimum.
Increased Health Problems
Burnout syndrome accounts for 8% of all occupational illness cases.
Overworking employees can lead to physical and mental health problems. Employees may experience stress-related illnesses such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle tension, which can lead to long-term health problems.
To prevent burnout related to increased health problems, employers can offer wellness programs, mental health resources, and flexible work arrangements. Employers can also provide ergonomic workstations and work environments that promote physical health and safety.
High Turnover Rates
When employees are overworked, they may become dissatisfied with their job and seek employment elsewhere. This can lead to a high turnover rate, which can be costly for the business.
To prevent burnout related to high turnover rates, employers can provide opportunities for career growth and development, fair compensation and benefits, and a positive work culture that values employee well-being and open communication. Employers can also offer support for time management and work-life balance, as well as training and resources for stress management and mental health.
46% of HR professionals say burnout makes up almost half of their annual turnover
How to prevent burnout in your workplace?
Source: Deloitte
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- Encourage work-life balance: Employers should ensure employees have a balance between work and personal life by setting realistic workloads and flexible working hours. Employers can also encourage employees to take time off when needed to attend to personal matters or manage stress.
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- Prioritize mental health: Employers should provide resources and support for employees to manage stress and mental health, such as access to counseling or therapy. Employers can also offer workshops or training sessions to help employees manage stress and build resilience.
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- Foster a positive work environment: Employers can create a supportive workplace culture that encourages open communication, collaboration, and recognition of employee efforts. Employers can also promote a sense of community by providing opportunities for social interaction, such as team-building activities or company events.
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- Offer professional development opportunities: Employers can encourage employees to learn new skills and take on new challenges to maintain motivation and prevent boredom. This can include offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, or career development plans.
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- Provide regular feedback: Employers should regularly communicate with employees about their performance and progress to help them stay on track and feel valued. Regular feedback can also help employees identify areas for improvement and set goals for personal and professional growth.
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- Allow for breaks and downtime: Employers can encourage employees to take regular breaks and time off to recharge and avoid burnout. This can include offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or job sharing, and encouraging employees to take advantage of vacation time and sick leave.
Preventing burnout in the workplace is critical to maintaining employee productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. By recognizing the signs of overworked employees and taking proactive steps to prevent burnout, employers can create a positive work environment that values employee health and well-being. Implementing wellness programs, and providing flexible work arrangements.
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