Are you exhausted, irritable or cynical at work? Can’t seem to focus or are feeling unproductive? If so, you could be suffering from acute workplace stress. Also known as ‘burnout’, this mental health condition must be stopped before it gets worse. Here are some signs it’s time to cut back the workload.
Signs of Burnout
Burnout often occurs when employees feel overworked and underappreciated. It can also be sparked by boredom. Here are some telltale signs to look out for.
- Exhaustion
- Lack of energy
- Reduced productivity
- Decrease in work quality
- Irritability
- Cynicism
- Negative feelings
- Mental distance from tasks
- Frequent headaches
- Gastrointestinal Issues
- Vision changes
Burnout can affect employees at all levels, including management. Here are ways to manage burnout before it takes hold.
Look for Signs. Changes in productivity, quality of work and attitude can be red flags of burnout. Ask employees to self-monitor.
Encourage Feedback. Discuss the issue with your employees. Ask them to be honest about how they are feeling. Develop a viable solution to make their workload more manageable.
Reduce Workloads. Often, employees have too much work to do and not enough time to get it done. A good manager will delegate tasks and share the workload with others who have less to do. Employees should be encouraged to ask for help.
Monitor the Changes. Watch employees for a few weeks after the workload changes take effect. Pay close attention to their performance, behavior and productivity to see if the alterations are helping. Be sure to follow up with them to see how they are doing.
Burnout Tips for Management
Middle managers are often victims of burnout. Higher-ups in the company can help in several ways.
Managers need to keep growing and developing their skills. Discuss their goals and help them to set up a path to reach them.
Encourage supervisors to focus on their well-being and self-care.
Managers need to feel connected. Make sure they know the company mission and purpose.
Take time to honor and reward managers for their efforts.
Be flexible. Give managers the permission to do what they need to do to make their life easier.
Common Causes of Job Burnout
- Not having a say on how you do your job
- You aren’t sure what’s expected of you
- Conflicts with other workers
- Your job is boring
- There’s too much work to do
- Lack of support
- Your work-life balance is out of sync.
How to Handle Job Burnout
Here are some tips to help you cope with job-related stress.
- Talk to your boss about your concerns and look at your options
- Seek support from co-workers, friends or loved ones
- Engage in a relaxing activity like yoga or meditation
- Exercise to help curb the stress.
- Practice mindfulness. Be aware of what’s going on inside you and around you without judgement.
Ways to Recover from Burnout
Once you recognize you are suffering from burnout, there are steps you can take to get control. Set boundaries on your screen time. Too much is bad for your health. Focus on self-care practices, like hobbies and things you enjoy. Take a break and be open to making changes at work and at home. Talk to a mental health professional. They can help you develop coping skills.
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