Perhaps you’ve been there—work is overwhelming, help is limited and before you know it, your drive and determination have diminished and all you can think about is how to get out of work. 

Regardless of whether it’s you or your employees you’re trying to protect from burnout, it’s of vital importance to your business. Not only are burnt out employees unengaged, but they are less healthy. 

If you’re noticing signs of employee burnout, take immediate steps to prevent it from continuing. Here are six ways to stop burnout in its tracks:

Lend a listening ear
As an employer, you have a duty to make sure your employees are being heard. Ideally, an employer would engage with a team member well before burnout begins, but the day-to-day workload can sometimes prevent this from happening. When burnout does begin to manifest, meet with your employee to get to the heart of the problem. Sometimes the solution is readily apparent. Sometimes, it’s a bit more complicated. You’ll never know, though, unless you listen.

Provide functional equipment
Nothing can be more maddening than having to use a tool or equipment that is ineffective or slow to respond. Not only does the equipment’s performance reflect poorly on the employee’s production, the failure of management to recognize the need to upgrade can create an air of helplessness.

Frustration with equipment can be one of the first symptoms of burnout, and solving this problem can alleviate work-related stressors tremendously.

Be fair
Nothing causes burnout quicker than watching someone else receive preferential treatment or get credit for the wrong reasons. 

Even worse is unfairness that seems arbitrary. Pay inequality, random promotions, capricious recognition—all of these things can create animosity or a sense of despair in an employee. They’re made worse by the fact that, in most cases, the employee must bottle up their feelings of injustice.

Give them a voice
For employees who feel as though they have no say in organizational decision-making, burnout can be a natural or even expected consequence. Dale Carnegie’s tips to empowering employees have endured because they work. 

Have fun
Employees who enjoy coming to work will burn out far less frequently than those who loathe their job. Why not build a positive work environment for your employees?

Stocking the fridge with goodies, having lunch-hour parties, or giving half-days off before a holiday can all boost morale and prevent employee burnout.

 Recognize success
No matter what they tell you, every employee wants to feel needed. An unexpected pat on the back or recognition in front of peers for a job well done can be a tremendous ego boost and go far toward stemming the onset of a burnout.

Don’t let employee burnout become a problem at your workplace. Educate your staff, recognize the symptoms, and take action when necessary. You’ll be glad you did.

Business.com 

 
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