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| Kiljon Shukullari |
A recent survey found that one in every four employees in Canada feels burnt-out at work. The professionals surveyed said they felt fatigued, less motivated and less productive.
Burnout is a state of physical, mental or emotional exhaustion caused by chronic job stress or excessive work hours.
It takes a heavy toll not just on the employee but also the business, as it can lead to increased absenteeism, poor performance and high turnover. The World Health Organization, too, recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon.
To ensure your teams are happy, healthy and productive, it is important that employers know how to recognize signs of employee burnout and take steps to address it. Here are some best practices we recommend employers should follow:
1. Keep track of workloads
Employers should ensure employee workloads are fair and reasonable. Check in regularly with your staff to see how they are
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2. Provide regular feedback
You can help detect burnout early by checking in regularly with your employees to see how they are coping with their workload. Sharing clear and consistent feedback helps your staff understand how they can align their efforts with company goals.
3. Encourage taking time off
Taking time off is important to reduce risk of burnout. Employees who regularly take time off protect their mental health and productivity in the long term. If you notice that an employee hasn’t taken time off in a while, talk to them and encourage them to do so.
4. Promote good mental health
Employees who may already be struggling with mental health are more prone to burnout. Advocating for mental wellness in the workplace will help create awareness about methods and resources available for handling stress and mental health challenges.
5. Offer flexible work
If possible, employers should give employees the option of flexible work. Even a small adjustment such as flexible start and end times can allow employees to balance work and personal life better. By being more accommodating to employee needs, employers can reduce stress and create a supportive environment.
6. Recognize good work
Burnout often leads to feelings of resentment, negativity and cynicism related to one’s job. Ensuring your employees know their work is seen and appreciated is important to address disengagement and burnout. By recognizing the good work of your employees, you’ll boost morale and engagement.
Employers who build a workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being not only reduce risk of burnout but also attract and retain high performers.
Kiljon Shukullari is the HR advice manager at HR consulting firm Peninsula Canada.
The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
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