The demands on employees across all sectors seem to be increasing to new levels. In fact, according to a recent survey of nearly 2,000 professionals in the U.S., 36% report feeling burned out at work and 33% say they are more burned out now than one year ago. Respondents to the survey, produced by talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half, say the top factors contributing to burnout are:
- Heavy workloads and long hours (40%)
- Lack of support or recognition from their manager (30%)
- Few professional growth opportunities (27%)
The survey also revealed that those who report the highest burnout levels are:
- Gen Z (39%) and Millennial (40%) professionals
- Working parents (38%)
- Professionals at small and midsize businesses (37%)
With burnout on the rise, it’s incumbent upon managers to take steps to monitor their employees and their workloads, keeping the lines of communication open and support ongoing. Burnout, in fact, is also a top concern for organizations struggling to hire. A separate Robert Half survey of more than 1,600 hiring managers found that the biggest impact of not being able to staff an open role in a timely manner are:
- Employee burnout (42%)
- Delayed project timelines (39%)
- Decreased productivity of existing staff (37%)
- Higher employee turnover (36%)
The pros at Robert Half offer the following tips for managers to help counter burnout:
- Encourage taking time off. Support your team’s well-being by promoting regular time off and mental health days to recharge.
- Help prioritize projects and manage timelines. Assist your team in prioritizing tasks and managing timelines effectively to ensure manageable workloads.
- Hire additional support. Consider hiring contract professionals to ease workloads, allowing your team to focus on key responsibilities.
- Recognize and appreciate. Acknowledge and celebrate your team’s hard work and accomplishments to boost morale and reinforce a positive work environment.
- Foster open communication. Create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges and needs.
