It’s tempting to view burnout as an individual problem—one that can be solved by self-help interventions: saying “no,” practicing deep breathing or increasing resilience. And while those strategies do help, burnout has more to do with organizational culture, norms and expectations. In other words, it’s on employers to take a close look at the work environment and adjust certain practices to prevent and reduce stress and burnout. For example:
Recognize and appreciate employees.
Recognition can serve as an antidote to burnout. When employees are regularly recognized for their contributions they are more engaged in work, feel more motivated and are better able to cope with short- and long-term stressors.
Strengthen manager support
Managers are the first line of defence when it comes to reducing stress and burnout. Weekly one-on-ones keep the lines of communication open and offer the opportunity to assess and adjust workload and ensure that team members feel supported. They’re also a way for managers to get to know employees on a more personal level, which is important to acknowledging that people are humans first, workers second—which can help to increase feelings of belonging, warding off burnout.
Make sure leaders walk the talk
Encouraging employees to practice self-care and reduce stress is more impactful when leaders make a point to role-model stress-busting behaviours. This could include time for fitness or meditation and hosting walking meetings.
Solicit feedback from your employees
Most want to be able to give at least some type of feedback to their employers. Investing in an employee feedback tool can help uncover key employee needs through advanced feedback surveys that help shape a high-impact employee engagement strategy.
Leverage your well-being program
The mind-body connection is undeniable—when we’re feeling healthy, we’re more resilient and less stressed. So, promote your well-being program’s resources for increasing resilience, boosting physical activity, and eating well. Wellness challenges that inspire employees—and give them permission—to step away from their desks and move throughout the day are also a great idea.
Embed mindfulness, meditation, and resilience into the corporate culture
Meditation and mindfulness can clarify thinking, enhance performance, increase resilience and reduce stress. If you have not made these kinds of resources available to employees’ think about how you can add them.
Empower employees to control what they can
In a tumultuous world, employees sometimes need reminders to lean in to healthy behaviours they can actually control that reduce stress and burnout. Things like getting enough sleep, making healthy food choices, prioritizing social connections, making time for daily movement and consuming media thoughtfully.