How to Prevent Burnout in Employees

Employee burnout - a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress - is a critical issue affecting workplaces across the globe.

Burnout is a growing concern in today’s workplaces, so preventing it is essential for maintaining a healthy, productive workforce. Burnout not only impacts employee wellbeing but also affects productivity, engagement, and even turnover rates. Fortunately, there are proactive measures employers can implement to prevent burnout before it takes hold.

Proactive measures to prevent burnout in the workplace

1. Workload management

One of the main causes of burnout is having an excessive workload, so employers should ensure that workloads are manageable and that employees have the resources they need to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently. That may sound easier said than done, so we’ve pulled together some actionable strategies that line managers could implement to manage their teams’ workloads effectively:

• Task prioritisation - Encourage your employees to prioritise their tasks based on urgency and importance, allowing them to reduce stress and overwhelm by focusing solely on critical tasks first.
• Delegate responsibilities - Delegating tasks can help distribute the workload more evenly, preventing any single employee from feeling overwhelmed.
• Set realistic, achievable deadlines - Set your employees deadlines that are realistic and achievable. Unrealistic deadlines can lead to unnecessary stress and burnout.

2. Support and encourage a good work-life balance

Supporting work-life balance plays a key role in preventing burnout. There are many ways that employers should promote a healthy balance between work and personal life, such as:

• Encouraging time off - Employers should actively encourage their employees to take regular breaks and use their annual leave entitlement. Time away from work is important to help recharge and reduce stress.
• Flexible work arrangements - Offer flexible working hours or remote work options where possible to help employees manage their personal responsibilities more effectively.
• Set restrictions on overtime - Set boundaries on overtime to prevent employees from overworking and burning out.

3. Stress awareness programmes

Introducing stress awareness programmes in the workplace allows employees to recognise and effectively manage their stress before it escalates to burnout. These programmes use a range of strategies, including:

• Stress management workshops - We recommend holding workshops on stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises on a regular basis so that employees are informed of ways to manage stress.
• Mental health resources - Provide access to mental health resources, including counselling services and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) so your employees know where to go for support.
• Regular check-ins - People managers should have regular check-ins with their teams to discuss any concerns and provide support as needed on an ongoing basis.

4. Encouraging a positive work environment

A positive work environment can have more of an impact than you may think on reducing the risk of burnout. Employers can foster a positive, welcome, and overall happy work environment by: 

• Promoting open, honest communication - Encouraging open and honest communication between employees and management will help in addressing any issues or concerns promptly and efficiently.
• Recognise hard work and reward employees - Regularly recognise and reward employees for their hard work and contributions - recognition boosts morale and motivation more than you may think.
• Build a supportive, welcoming culture - Create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where employees feel valued and respected. Feeling valued can go a long way in helping an employee feel motivated and committed to working for you. 

How to help an employee with burnout

Recognising burnout early and providing support is essential in helping employees recover. If you suspect an employee is experiencing burnout, here’s how you can help:

1. Identify the signs of burnout in the workplace

Signs of burnout include chronic fatigue, irritability, decreased performance, and withdrawal from work activities. Managers should be trained to recognise and understand these signs and address them quickly and effectively. 

2. Provide emotional support for employees

Offering emotional support can make a big difference to addressing workplace stress and burnout. Encourage open discussions about what they are experiencing and provide a safe space for employees to express their feelings.

3. Adjust employee workload accordingly

If an employee is experiencing burnout, consider adjusting their workload to reduce stress, whether that be delegating tasks, extending deadlines, or providing additional support to help manage the load. 

4. Encourage professional help where needed

Encourage employees to seek professional help such as counselling services, therapy, or support groups as needed. 

How to manage employee burnout

Managing employee burnout needs a considered approach that includes both immediate interventions and long-term strategies.

1. Develop a a burnout plan for your workplace

Create a burnout prevention plan that outlines strategies for managing workloads, supporting work-life balance, and promoting mental health. This plan should be communicated clearly to all employees so they know how and where to get support.

2. Monitor employee wellbeing

Regularly monitor employee wellbeing through engagement surveys, check-ins, and feedback sessions. This helps in identifying any issues early and taking corrective actions to prevent burnout from becoming a regular problem.

3. Encourage personal development and learning

Encourage continuous learning and development opportunities, as giving employees the chance to learn new skills and advance their careers boosts motivation and reduces burnout.

How GoodShape recognises and addresses burnout

Recognising burnout with GoodShape

GoodShape uses advanced data capture and analysis techniques to identify signs of burnout in the workplace thanks to the latest technologies and absence management software.

• 24/7 absence reporting and data capture - GoodShape provides accurate, complete, and consistent reporting of all sickness and unplanned absences to help you identify patterns of absenteeism related to stress and mental health.
• Alert engine - The platform’s alert engine triggers notifications for relevant actions, such as referrals to mental health services, when specific patterns of absenteeism are detected.
• Health monitoring - GoodShape integrates with medical records and wearable fitness apps to track detailed health data. This enables proactive detection of health issues and needs, including signs of burnout.

Recognising burnout with GoodShape

If you’ve identified cases of burnout in your workplace, GoodShape helps address it straight away with various intervention strategies, including:

• Daily care plans - The platform offers over 500 curated self-care plans with tracked activities to support employees during periods of ill health, including stress and burnout.
• Digital advice - With GoodShape, employees have access to a comprehensive wellbeing advice library with videos, workbooks, and guidance on managing stress and returning to work safely.
• Referrals and signposting - GoodShape manages referrals to existing and new third-party services, ensuring early intervention and higher utilisation of mental health resources.
• Real-time data dashboards - Employers can access real-time dashboards that highlight issues, areas to focus on, and emerging risks related to employee health and burnout, so you can be one step ahead. 

Preventing employee burnout is not just about employee wellbeing, it's about ensuring business success. By implementing proactive strategies and utilising an absence management platform like GoodShape, businesses can create a work environment that fosters employee wellbeing, reduces turnover, and boosts overall productivity.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your employee wellbeing initiatives?

Request your free absence report today and discover how our platform can empower your workforce and create a thriving workplace culture.