5 tips to prevent burnout in the workplace

Dealing with burnout can be challenging, especially if you are an SME owner and don’t have a large structure to fall back on, or lack resources to invest in initiatives to improve employee wellbeing. A successful and productive company requires happy and healthy staff, so ensuring your employees – including yourself – aren’t burnt out is vital to sustainable growth. Here’s what you can do to avoid burnout in your workplace.

What is burnout and why must it be avoided?

Burnout is extreme exhaustion as a result of stress. It can leave employees feeling emotionally drained and unmotivated. It is often a result of being over-worked: when you are under pressure to complete too many tasks in too little time. This can result in low productivity and high employee turnover – leading to companies losing some of their best workers, and the potential they have to grow the business. Preventing burnout before it becomes a problem is therefore in the best interest of both employees and employers.

Tip 1 – Prioritise your workers’ health

Looking after your employees’ mental and physical health will reduce the chances of them getting burnt out, as they should feel more energised and engaged if they are healthy. To boost your employees’ wellbeing, consider ways you can support their mental health: such as an employee assistance programme, regular one to one meetings where you speak generally about how they are managing with their workload. You can also provide opportunities for them to stay physically healthy and active, for example with cycle to work schemes, gym discounts or even team walks.

Tip 2 – Support managers and employees

Managers are just as prone to getting burnout as other employees are, so ensure you support people at all levels in the business. Make sure your managers have enough employees and the appropriate systems to ensure they can be efficient. Also ensure your managers are tuned in to looking out for employees and are conscious of stress levels within the team.

Tip 3 – Help to establish a work-life balance

Encourage your employees to set boundaries and put in place measures to establish a work-life balance. You could set times at which work emails can and can’t be sent such as – no work emails after 6pm and before 8am. This allows employees to properly switch off. Empower your employees to feel comfortable enough to say no to things when they don’t have capacity and make sure they take a break and get away from their desk during the working day.

Tip 4 – Allow work to flex around employee’s lives

Giving employees flexible working arrangements gives them a greater sense of control. They can be more efficient with their time, both at work and outside of work. This can, in turn, help them to feel more energised, so they will be more productive at work, without stressing about other things going on in their lives. For instance, offering core working hours or hybrid working both come at little to no cost to the employer but can reap sizeable benefits to employee wellbeing.

Tip 5 – Support employees to seek professional help

Sometimes, employees may need access to professional help, to prevent an existing mental health issue from contributing to burnout, or to help them manage stress. Giving your employees the time to access help will make them happier and more productive at work. Mental ill health should be supported in the same way as any other medical illness.

This article should not be a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment. If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, please consult a medical professional.

If you are an SME owner looking for a business space in a supportive environment, please get in touch.