Julian Hooks — January 23, 2017 Follow @UltimateMedical
When trying to retain their most talented workers, burnout is a significant factor for companies. Employees burn out for many reasons — including stress, anxiety, boredom or poor work/life balance.
However, engaged and dynamic organizations have an easier time retaining their best employees. Below are some best practices for helping your team avoid burnout at work.
Create group projects.
People want to feel connected to their coworkers. In fact, for many employees, their primary social group is their co-workers. By allowing employees to purposefully work together to solve problems for the company, you can increase productivity and re-engage your employees.
Promote your employees’ well-being and encourage time off.
Most employees have complex lives outside of work, which can either positively or negatively affect their performance in the office. To help, you can offer benefits such as paid time off and sick and personal days. By reasonably accommodating an employee’s personal needs, you reduce the stress that they bring to the workplace. You also allow employees to take care of responsibilities without the stress of feeling like they’re failing at work.
Don’t demand more from your employees than they can reasonably give.
If you don’t have someone who is capable of the completing a project, then make sure you guide and train the employee or employees assigned to the task. Asking someone to do work beyond his or her skill set will add unfair stress and create negative feelings toward you. Give your employees the tools, learning resources and guidance for challenging projects and then help them succeed.
Recognition for good work.
Many employees don’t feel recognized for the good work they do. Frequent feedback, both positive and constructive, helps employees grow and believe their employer is invested in them. Employees often burn out because they think going the extra mile gets them nowhere. If you know one of your employees is working late hours or has gone above and beyond, recognize them and thank them.
It doesn’t take a lot to make work more personally meaningful for your employees. Changing your company culture to nurture professional growth significantly improves morale — and can help limit burning out on the job.
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