Employee burnout on the rise this year, survey finds

As the pandemic rages on and year-end creeps closer, employee burnout is rearing its ugly head at companies everywhere.

About a third (34%) of workers feel more burned out from work now than they did this time last year, found a recent survey from Robert Half. Another 45% of professionals said they are equally as burned out as last year.

There’s no denying 2020 hasn’t been smooth sailing, both from a personal and professional perspective. The coronavirus pandemic brought all sorts of challenges for employees: Many are working from home for the first time, balancing devotion to their job and their family. Some are taking on extra duties due to personnel changes or lay-offs. Others are adapting to new processes or policies.

All the additional changes and responsibilities are taking a toll: About 30% of employees cited a fuller plate at work as the top reason for their fatigue.

Combatting fatigue

As you know, employee burnout translates to lost time and money, from dips in productivity to retention problems. (In fact, another Robert Half Survey found that 88% of senior managers admitted they’re worried about staff retention. They know employees are managing heavy workloads and are on the verge of burnout.)

To keep your company thriving and your employees feeling positive:

1. Check in. With heavy workloads being a top cause of employee burnout, it’s important for managers to check in with their teams regularly. Reaffirm top priorities, go over upcoming projects and talk about any challenges. Help your people zero in on the most essential, important work.
2. Focus on work-life balance. These are uncertain, busy times. But without proper breaks or time to refresh, employees will only get more burned out. So, you want to encourage people to take time off, even if it’s just one day to recharge. And leaders should work with their team on coverage and workloads, so folks don’t come back feeling more stressed than before they left.
3. Share to show you care. Remind employees of all the wellness offerings and benefits your company provides. You could also keep them in the loop on free programs that contribute to their well-being – from online yoga classes to mental health workshops to virtual company-sponsored events.