Employee Burnout

What is employee burnout?

Employee burnout, also called job burnout or workplace burnout, is a type of chronic workplace stress recognized by the World Health Organization. Impacted employees experience mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. 

Example: The long working hours, stressful conditions, and lack of growth opportunities all contributed to a culture of employee burnout.

Employee burnout can be detrimental not only for workers, but also for the workplace, as employees who are burned out may be less motivated and productive and more likely to leave the organization.

The impact of employee burnout

Employee burnout can have an extremely negative impact on individuals, both in the office and outside of it. The effects of high levels of job stress can spread to an employee’s personal life, leading to or exacerbating mental health issues like depression and anxiety. 

At work, employees may lose focus and motivation, making errors more frequently or moving at a slower pace. Employees experiencing burnout may be more likely to churn from an organization, and may even detract from an organization’s reputation. 

All of this can impact a company’s bottom line via greater on-the-job errors, lower productivity, greater hiring costs, and more.  

How to combat employee burnout

Preventing burnout is key to fostering a healthy, thriving workplace. To prevent employee burnout, start by identifying key areas where employees feel overwhelmed. Ensure that workers can take advantage of career growth opportunities, and that they feel supported by their managers and teams. You can pinpoint ways to make employees feel valued on a regular basis, and invest in company culture-building opportunities to help team members feel connected to each other and to the organization.

One of the most important strategies to combat burnout is to create a positive work environment that supports individuals’ work-life balance. Encourage employees to take time off to rest and recharge, and invest in employee benefits. Ensure company expectations are aligned with resourcing so teams aren’t faced with long hours or disproportionate workloads.