According to a new report, 84% of millennials say they have experienced burnout at their current job, a shocking statistic that demonstrates the importance of good leadership and prioritising mental health and wellbeing. Below, we’ve put together some of the most common reasons why your staff may be burnt out, and offer advice on how to overcome it.
Lack of control
If your staff have no control over decisions that affect their job – such as their workload, their location, or their current schedule – then they’re likely to feel burnt out. Make sure that your staff know exactly what they should be doing day in, day out, and help them manage their schedules accordingly. A monthly catch-up or review could give them some additional clarity.
Poor work/life balance
You might not have noticed that Jan is sticking around for an extra hour every evening – but her husband has! Although hard work and dedication are essential, it’s also important to take time off to relax and unwind. Failure to do that could result in burnout. Make sure that your staff are encouraged to take time off, use up their holidays, and make out-of-work plans with friends. Life is about more than work; our mental health can suffer if we don’t realise that.
Workplace dynamics
As a CEO, the chances are that you spend most of your time away from the hustle and bustle of office life. But it’s vital that you spend some time on the ground so you can see what’s really going on. Staff who feel like they’re being undermined by colleagues, clients, or even you could result in burnout – and the same is true for those who are micromanaged, which can lead to unnecessary stress. Sometimes, hiring a manager can help you see things through a different lens and make changes to the way you run your business accordingly.
Unclear expectations
Another common reason why staff suffer from burnout is due to unclear expectations. Does your team know their authority and what’s expected of them? If not, there can be a lot of time spent playing office politics, or feeling like you’re not doing enough to impress the boss.
Taking on additional responsibilities
A good employee will always be happy to take on additional duties and responsibilities that would typically fall outside of their job description and payscale. Whether that’s taking on a meeting with a client when you’re too busy, or even making cups of tea for your team before a catch-up. But if your staff are spending too much time doing things other than the job they are paid for, their workloads will slip, and they’ll struggle to catch up. Make sure that you’re reviewing their day-to-day responsibilities and outsource things that don’t need to be done by them. For example, companies offer facilities management services like cleaning and facilities maintenance, which could free up time for your staffers to work on their own things.
Worried your staff are feeling burnt out? Take them to one side and offer your support. If you have any other tips or recommendations, let us know and check back soon for some more…
