5 Creative Ways to Prevent Employee Burnout

Employee burnout is a setback for every organization, even if it only happens to one person. But what about when most of the staff feels job fatigue? A recent Monster survey found that 50 percent of remote workers experienced burnout. It's an issue that business leaders must address to avoid diminishing production performance. Here's a look at some of the most effective and creative ways to prevent employee burnout.‍

1. Encourage a Work-Life Balance‍

The phrase "work-life balance" is becoming increasingly familiar to employers. It's now a central theme in attracting people back to the office after months of working at home during the pandemic. Many employees decided to leave because they wanted to pursue new career opportunities that allow the flexibility of a work-life balance. According to a Gallup study, employees who feel burnout are 63 percent more likely to call in sick sometime. Ultimately, too much employee burnout leads to costly high turnover.

Employers must be cognizant of their workers' need to allow a certain amount of time to focus on their personal lives. So instead of overworking your staff, post signs that include the "work-life balance" phrase relating to better physical and mental health. Signs or posters in the workplace help reinforce company culture and vision, which many firms now consider well-being necessary for productivity.

Worker burnout is a topic that should be raised at group meetings once in a while to let the staff know that negative attitudes and feelings weaken performance. Lack of motivation among employees should be identified early through one-on-one meetings. But telling people to love their job isn't good enough. You need to promote the concept of excellent work output mixed with a happy private life.‍

2. Allow for Exercise Breaks‍

Good exercise, such as walking, helps the mind and body operate at an optimum energy level. It's healthier for your staff to take occasional breaks to allow for stretching, jogging, or other exercises that raise energy levels and sharpen one's mental state. To run effective operations, business owners must understand how staying healthy relates to more effective management.

Some signs of burnout creeping into the workplace include employee absences, missed deadlines, and incomplete work. When you see workers daydreaming on the job, it indicates they would rather be elsewhere. Low energy, lack of concentration, and decreasing employee engagement are other hints of burnout. Exercise is one of the best solutions to overcoming each of these deficiencies.

Sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen all day can lead to burnout at some point. Additionally, sitting in the same spot for hours without getting up and walking around is unhealthy, which allows for better breathing and blood flow. The more time the job requires sitting, the more frequent breaks you should allow employees to engage in physical activity. Taking deep breaths or practicing meditation is a form of exercise and relaxation, allowing individuals to reset their mood and energy.‍

3. Create Interesting Contests with Prizes‍

Another one of the most creative ways to prevent employee burnout is to stage competitive games for your employees to play. It can tie in directly with work, such as awarding points to employees for outstanding job performance. An example would be conducting daily, weekly or monthly competitions, in which whoever brings in the most sales leads or conversions is awarded a nice gift. The employer can skip paying for it, as the prizes can be promotional items via partnerships with other businesses, such as free dinners from restaurants.

Please keep in mind the factors that exiting workers focused on during the pandemic. Millions of professionals across the country left their jobs searching for greater flexibility, creativity, and benefits. Try to weave in contests and prizes that promote these qualities that employers must now consider to attract strong talent. Monetary bonuses are usually the best rewards that generate worker enthusiasm, but if the budget is too tight, consider giving employees time off as a reward for an achievement.

‍4. Develop a Fun Recreation Room‍

The success of tech companies in Silicon Valley can partly be attributed to fostering an upbeat atmosphere that suggests tech is a fun and creative industry. Part of what makes a place like the Googleplex a fun work environment is that it includes multiple fitness centers. Some tech campuses have special recreation rooms for games like ping pong or pool. Keep in mind that certain forms of recreation, such as playing pool, involve steady concentration and planning. Those two qualities are very valuable in any workplace.

Again, if budget restrictions limit the choices for recreation, just stay within your means without abandoning the idea of a place for employees to reset and overcome exhaustion. An entertainment center doesn't have to be expensive, as you can buy a stack of basic board games like chess or checkers for under $100.‍

5. Throw Team Parties for Reaching Milestones‍

Why not schedule a staff party to celebrate accomplishing company goals? Parties with music and video screens can be refreshing and reason for employees to care more about their jobs. Staff parties allow employees to interact more as friends, which opens doors to new levels of understanding between coworkers. The more familiar your employees are with each other, the more chance of positive energy in the workplace.

While avoiding overdoing it with too many parties is important, each should be treated as a special event. Taking the staff on a field trip to a nice location, such as a scenic park with recreational facilities, is one way to bring your team together in a comfortable alternative setting. Another winning idea is to attend a sports event or concert with your team.

In today's work environment, it's important to show appreciation for employee participation, whether it's for work or play. In that sense, parties are excellent team-building events that can boost energy and reduce stress. They also generate laughter, which scientists have confirmed is good for health.‍

Conclusion‍

There are many other ways to reduce stress. For example, practicing good time management can also reduce stress and increase productivity. Implementing these five creative ways to prevent employee burnout will greatly reduce stress and improve employee morale. Feel free to use these ideas for inspiration while crafting your own customized solutions for combating stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

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