The workplace has experienced dynamic change throughout the past several years. Teams are no longer accustomed to working 9-5 in the office, and according to Workhuman, mental exhaustion and the feeling of being on autopilot are common amongst 56% of employees. Workers report increased workplace fatigue, lack of motivation, and other signs that indicate they’re heading toward burnout. But hope is not lost! Burnout can be counteracted with some planning, boundaries, and teamwork.
Check-in
Checking in with your employees is a significant step when preventing burnout. Check-in conversions are no longer just centered around work, as personal issues are now involved. Learning how your employees handle stressors in and out of the office can help cultivate an optimal workplace environment. Plan to check-in with your team and your employees to ensure there are no larger issues. Check-ins don’t require an hour-long meeting, not even 30 minutes. It could be as little as stopping by someone’s desk or shooting them a direct message on Teams or Slack.
Set Boundaries—Mentally and Physically
One of the leading causes of burnout in the hybrid working model is the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. When working from home, separating work hours from leisure time can be challenging, leading to a constant state of “on-call.” To prevent this, it’s important to set clear boundaries and stick to a schedule, including setting specific working hours, taking regular breaks, and creating a dedicated workspace.
Celebrate Your Team
Hybrid or work-from-home environments can leave employees feeling disconnected, so your team needs to feel a sense of appreciation more than ever. Burnout occurs when employees work too hard for too long with little to no reward. You can combat this trend by making your employees feel seen, celebrated, heard, and appreciated. Prioritizing employee well-being not only prevents burnout but improves your overall company morale.
The workplace is ever-evolving and it is up to HR leaders to help beat burnout as employees are struggling with workplace fatigue. Offering support in and out of the office can help your team feel supported. In addition, celebrating and rewarding your employees are effective ways of showing appreciation, which can go a long way.
Offices nationwide realize the emphasis on human contributions and interactions. RJ Reliance maintains an international remote workforce, periodically bringing our team onsite for work sessions, and we consider ourselves experts on this topic! Reach out to discover what working model is best for your workforce and how we can help!
