Nurturing Employee Wellbeing: How to Identify, Avoid and Manage Burnout

Nurturing Employee Wellbeing: How to Identify, Avoid and Manage Burnout

We cover the topic of employee wellbeing regularly, and again, it was one of the topics of discussion in our most recent Business Growth Network workshop.

A common challenge facing business owners and managers today is the prevalence of burnout, not only among employees but also among business owners themselves.  Burnout impacts individual wellbeing and profoundly affects team morale, productivity, and overall organisational success.  Below are the three defining characteristics of burnout, strategies to identify, avoid, and manage it, and proactive measures to prevent burnout by promoting stress management and building employee resilience.

Identifying Burnout

1. Feelings of Energy Depletion or Exhaustion:  Burnout often manifests as a persistent sense of physical and emotional exhaustion.  Employees experiencing burnout may feel drained, fatigued, and unable to muster the energy needed to perform their duties effectively.
   
   
2. Increased Mental Distancing or Feelings of Negativism:  Burnout can lead to heightened negativity and mental distancing from one’s job or responsibilities.  Employees may develop a cynical attitude towards their work, colleagues, or the organisation, resulting in disengagement and a sense of detachment.
   
   
3. Sense of Ineffectiveness and Lack of Accomplishment:  Another hallmark of burnout is a pervasive sense of ineffectiveness and a lack of accomplishment.  Employees may feel their efforts are futile, their contributions go unnoticed, and their achievements are insignificant, leading to disillusionment and demotivation.

Avoiding and Managing Burnout

1. Promote Open Communication:  Encourage employees to recognise and speak up when they’re experiencing high levels of stress or burnout.  Foster an environment of trust and support where employees feel comfortable discussing their concerns and seeking assistance when needed.
   
   
2. Provide Stress Management Resources:  Offer resources and tools to help employees manage stress effectively.  This could include mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, and access to counseling services or employee assistance programs (EAPs) for additional support.
   
   
3. Build Resilience:  Empower employees to build resilience by promoting work-life balance, fostering social connections, and encouraging regular exercise and physical activity.  Provide training and development opportunities to enhance employees’ problem-solving skills, adaptability, and confidence in navigating challenges.
   
   
4. Lead by Example:  As a leader or manager, model healthy work habits and prioritise your own wellbeing.  Demonstrate the importance of self care, set realistic expectations for workload and deadlines, and openly discuss strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout with your team.
   
   
5. Recognise and Reward Accomplishments:  Acknowledge and celebrate employees’ accomplishments and contributions regularly.  Recognising their efforts and achievements reinforces a sense of purpose and value, fostering motivation and job satisfaction.

Identifying, avoiding, and managing employee burnout requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach that prioritises the wellbeing of employees.  By recognising the defining characteristics of burnout, promoting open communication, providing stress management resources, and building resilience, businesses can create a supportive environment where employees thrive. 

As a business leader, your example and support are instrumental in helping your business to cultivate a culture of wellbeing and resilience, ultimately driving greater engagement, productivity, and success.

We run quarterly business growth network workshops, for business owners to learn and share insights for leadership and business success.  If you are interested in joining our practical, high-value Business Growth Network (BGN) workshops, please contact us or call our office on (08) 6212 7200 for more information.