Extinguishing Workplace Burnout: What Companies and Leaders can do to Create a Happier Workplace
What happens when the Monday Blues don’t stop on Mondays?
The answer – Workplace Burnout
It was the end of a long day at work, and Sarah felt completely drained. She had been working tirelessly for weeks on a big project, and it felt like there was no end in sight. Every day, she woke up feeling exhausted and uninspired. The thought of going to work filled her with dread. Sarah was experiencing workplace burnout, and she didn’t know what to do.
Unfortunately, Sarah’s story is all too common in today’s workforce. According to a recent study, over 60% of workers experience burnout at some point in their careers, and the effects can be devastating.
Workplace burnout is a hot topic (no pun intended) in the present working culture. And with good reason! Workplace burnout is no joke. Its effects include physical and mental health problems, decreased job satisfaction, and even long-term career damage.
What is workplace burnout?
Workplace burnout is a unique kind of work-related stress. A state of physical or emotional exhaustion, along with a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. The biggest precursors to workplace burnout are employees feeling undervalued, overworked, and finding their work meaningless.
The cure for burnout (Spoiler Alert! It’s not self-care)
“The cure for burnout is not self-care; it is all of us caring for each other.” We can’t do it alone. We need each other.”, says Amelia Nagoski, the author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.
What employees need is a bubble of support. A workplace that cares about their well-being. Leaders and policies that say, “You need a break. I’m going to help you with this. I’m going to step in.” Essentially, employees and company leaders need to work together to create a happy and safe environment for everyone to thrive.
What companies and leaders can do to create a happier workplace
The good news is that now many companies are recognizing the importance of employee well-being.
Recently recognized as ‘Dream Companies to Work For in 2023’ by the World HRD Congress, InfoBeans Technologies has a clear people first policy.
Ruchi Sharma, HR at InfoBeans, says, “At InfoBeans, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We’re committed to creating a culture that supports their well-being and success. We offer flexible schedules, mental health resources, and opportunities for professional development. Furthermore, we organize events and regular rewards and recognition programs to keep the morale high.
“By prioritizing our employees’ needs and providing a supportive and fulfilling work environment, we believe we can prevent burnout and create a bright future for our company.”
InfoBeans’ efforts to make their company employee friendly are certainly paying off. The company has also been ranked as one of the “Top 100 Best Companies for Women in India.”
Similar to InfoBeans, there are many companies that are now putting employee well-being high on their priority list. Here is a list of what companies are doing to promote a healthier workplace.
Creating a Culture of Support and Well-being
This means prioritizing mental health and wellness, offering flexible schedules and time off, and promoting work-life balance. Companies can also provide resources such as wellness programs, mental health support, and employee assistance programs to support their employees.
Promoting Meaning and Purpose in the Workplace
As discussed earlier, employees need to find their work meaningful. This can be done by regularly communicating the company’s mission and values, recognizing and rewarding outstanding work, and providing opportunities for employees to contribute to the community or social causes. By promoting a sense of purpose and meaning in the workplace, companies can help prevent burnout and foster a more positive work environment.
Offering Support and Resources
This includes providing adequate training and development opportunities, access to the tools and technology needed to do their work, and clear expectations and feedback from their managers. By offering the necessary support and resources, companies can help employees feel more confident and empowered in their work, which can help prevent burnout and increase job satisfaction.
After the pandemic, the burnout epidemic has been making its mark across the globe. However, with both employees and employers working together, we might soon be able to extinguish this fire completely.
Your employees need you. Show them that you need them too!
