Tips for Preventing Workplace Burnout and Keeping Employees Productive

In a recent survey by Deloitte, 77% of the respondents said they experienced burnout in their respective workplaces. It’s okay to want maximum output and productivity from our employees. However, this doesn’t mean working them until they burn out.

Burnout is a serious problem in the workplace, leading to decreased productivity and even health problems. If you’ve noticed a low turnover despite normal working patterns, then your employees could be suffering from workplace burnout. The worst part of burnout is that the signs of workplace burnout may not be that apparent.

In today’s post, we’ll be looking at what burnout is, and how you can prevent it in the workplace for optimum employee productivity.

What Is Workplace Burnout?

Workplace burnout is a state of physical or mental exhaustion that’s brought about by prolonged work-related stress. It usually occurs when someone feels overwhelmed, hopeless, and unable to meet the demands of their job.

There are three key components to burnout:

• Feeling exhausted both physically and mentally
• Feeling cynical or negative towards your job
• Feeling like you’re not achieving anything, despite putting in the work

These three components can lead to a decrease in productivity, an increase in mistakes, and absenteeism. If left unchecked, workplace burnout can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, depression, and anxiety.

How to Prevent Burnout in the Workplace

Employers must take a proactive approach to prevent burnout in the workplace. Here are a couple of tips for doing just that.

1. Have Realistic Employee Expectations

One of the main causes of workplace burnout is having unrealistic employee expectations. If you want your employees to be productive, then you need to give them the autonomy to do their jobs without you micromanaging them.

It’s also important to set realistic deadlines and workloads. Overloading your employees with work will only lead to them feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Keep this up and they could quit their jobs and search for greener pastures.

Instead, try to create a work environment where your employees can thrive. This means giving them the freedom to experiment and take risks without the fear of failure. Creating a positive work environment will go a long way in preventing workplace burnout.

2. Give Employees Adequate Recovery Times

This essentially means allowing employees to take adequate breaks when they need them and not expecting them to work 24/7.

It’s worth noting that employee burnout isn’t just caused by working long hours. It can also be brought about by working weekends, early mornings, or late nights.

To prevent this, you should have a clear work-life balance policy in place. This will ensure that your employees have the time they need to recover from work and avoid burnout. Be lenient with break times and don’t be too strict on work breaks.

You can also encourage your employees to take vacation days when they need to. Help them understand that it’s okay to take a break.

3. Encourage Social Connections

Social connections in the workplace help break the monotony and dullness of day-to-day work events. This could be anything from team lunches to after-work drinks. The goal is to create an environment where employees feel like they belong and are part of a family.

One way to encourage social connections is to have regular team-building activities. These don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Something as simple as going out for lunch or playing a game of basketball together can go a long way in preventing workplace burnout.

You can also create employee resource groups where employees with similar interests can connect with each other. This will give them a chance to socialize and bond with people who have similar interests. However, don’t let socialization distract employees from their work.

4. Try Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has been shown to be an effective way of reducing stress and preventing burnout in the workplace. A massage can help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation. It’s also a great way to bond with your employees and show them that you care about their well-being.

There are a number of ways to incorporate massage therapy into the workplace. You can have a masseuse come in once a week or install massage chairs in the office. You can even offer employees massages as a perk for working hard.

5. Provide Work From Home Alternatives

Working from home is a great way to prevent employee burnout. It allows employees to have a better work-life balance and avoid the commute.

If possible, try to allow your employees to work from home at least once a week. You can also offer flexible hours so that employees can choose when they want to start and end their workdays. However, this should be on the condition that employees hit their daily milestones.

7. Lead By Example

Leading by example means setting the tone for how you want your employees to behave.

If you’re constantly working long hours, then your employees will likely do the same. Similarly, if you’re always taking work home with you, then your team will follow suit. Instead, try to set boundaries and stick to them.

This doesn’t mean that you should never work overtime or take work home with you. However, it’s important to only do so when absolutely necessary. Your employees will follow your lead and will likely only do so when it’s absolutely necessary as well.

8. Encourage Employee Feedback

Encouraging employee feedback allows you to understand how your employees are feeling and what you can do to improve their work experience.

You can encourage employee feedback by holding regular team meetings. During these meetings, you can ask for suggestions on how to improve the workplace. You can also send out surveys or hold one-on-one conversations with your employees.

Encouraging employee feedback shows that you’re open to making changes in the workplace. This will make your employees feel appreciated and valued. It will also help build trust between you and your team.

Say “No” to Workplace Burnout

Workplace burnout is a serious problem that can have a negative impact on your business. It can lead to a decrease in productivity and an increase in employee turnover.

To prevent workplace burnout, you need to create a healthy work environment. The tips above will help you do just that.

Are you concerned about workplace burnout? Atlanta Mobile Massage and Wellness can help! We offer on-site massage services that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Contact us today to learn more.