Employee burnout is a very real problem in nearly all business sectors. A Deloitte workplace burnout survey revealed that 77% of respondents experienced employee burnout at their current job, with more than half claiming to have felt burnt out on more than one occasion.
Symptoms of employee burnout range from an inability to concentrate and feelings of hopelessness to cynicism towards people and recurring sickness. Burnout can also lead to poor productivity and business performance.
Employee burnout is a serious type of workplace stress in which workers can experience physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Fortunately, there are solutions to fight burnout. Employee benefit advisors can assist organizations with preventing burnout to minimize employee turnover and retain talent.
The Employee Burnout Epidemic
Burnout in the workplace is not a new concept but one that organizations have experienced for many decades. Employee burnout is often a result of chronic workplace stress and involves many aspects, such as reduced efficacy at work, negativity towards the job in question, and chronic exhaustion.
Unfortunately, there is no single driving factor behind the employee burnout epidemic. Burnout can result from many factors, such as heavy workloads, a perceived lack of control, poor work relationships, lack of recognition and a lack of fairness.
Flexibility has also been found to be a contributing factor in employee burnout. A Future Forum survey revealed that employees who are dissatisfied with their level of flexibility in the workplace are 43% more likely to experience burnout than those content with their current level of flexibility.
The Impact of Employee Burnout on Organizations
The impact of employee burnout in the workplace can be significant and far-reaching. Some ways that employee burnout can affect businesses include:
- Increased absenteeism – Burnout can result in increased employee absenteeism. Workers who are burned out are more likely to take more sick days or use vacation time. More days off can result in delays in projects or missed deadlines, which impacts customer satisfaction.
- Reduced productivity – Employees who are burned out often experience lower levels of productivity. These workers are often less engaged in their work and may experience chronic brain fog, have trouble concentrating, or exhibit forgetfulness.
- Low morale – When employees are burned out, morale in the workplace can suffer. Employees may be more disconnected from their work and team dynamics are often affected as a result.
- High turnover rates – Organizations work hard to retain top talent. Unfortunately, employee burnout can increase the turnover rate, as workers are more likely to leave their jobs in search of less stressful work conditions.
The Importance of Employee Benefits Advisors in Addressing Burnout
Addressing employee burnout should be a priority for any business experiencing high turnover rates, low productivity, and other symptoms of burnout. Investing in the expertise and guidance of an experienced employee benefits advisor can help reduce employee burnout and boost productivity in the workplace.
Employee benefits advisors can help organizations prevent burnout by:
- Focusing on in-work solutions, such as mental health benefits
- Offering an employee assistance program (EAP)
- Recommending self-care and digital solutions for managing stress
- Increasing access to counseling and similar wellness services
How Employee Benefits Advisors Help with Employee Burnout
While many employers are aware of employee burnout trends within workplaces across the country, few know how to address this ongoing problem. Bringing in a knowledgeable employee benefits advisor can help organizations tackle burnout by offering effective strategies and advice on how to help employees better manage emotional stressors.
Here are some of the ways that employee benefits advisors can assist with employee burnout:
Assessing Employee Burnout and Risks
Measuring burnout accuracy and ethics are often the first steps toward preventing burnout in the workplace. Employee benefit advisors can help organizations better recognize the signs of burnout and determine the severity of the problem. Advisors can also identify risks that employers face if they fail to implement solutions for burnout.
Designing Employee Benefits Plans
The right benefits package can make all the difference when tackling employee burnout in the workplace. Today, workers are more conscious than ever before when it comes to adopting a healthy work-life balance. Offering a comprehensive employee benefits plan that fosters employee health and well-being can help ward off burnout.
Providing Resources for Stress Management and Work-life Balance
Despite feeling the symptoms of burnout, many employees do not know where to turn for help. Employee benefit advisors can assist employees by providing valuable resources for stress management and providing guidance on how to develop a healthy work-life balance.
Benefits of Addressing Employee Burnout
Ignoring the signs of employee burnout in the workforce does not make the problem go away. Bringing in an employee benefits advisor can help shine a light on the situation and ensure that finding a solution becomes a top priority.
Some of the benefits of addressing employee burnout in the workplace include:
Improved Employee Engagement and Productivity
Employees want to know that they are valued by the companies they work for. Addressing employee burnout head-on demonstrates an organization’s dedication to its workforce.
In turn, employees feel cared about at work and are more likely to utilize their physical and mental health benefits to enhance their health and well-being. This can lead to improved employee productivity and engagement.
Greater Employee Retention and Loyalty
Organizations that treat their employees well are more likely to remain loyal in their given positions. Addressing employee burnout shows workers that the organization understands their struggles and respects their work-life boundaries.
Providing benefits like paid time off, wellness programs and other workplace perks can persuade employees to remain loyal and dedicated to their employer.
Reduction in Healthcare Costs
The impact of employee burnout affects organizations in many ways, including higher healthcare costs. According to O.C. Tanner’s Global Culture Report, approximately 79% of employees suffer from mild, moderate or severe burnout. In addition, the report attributes more than 120,000 deaths each year and $190 billion in healthcare spending to burnout.
By addressing employee burnout, organizations can help workers address their physical, mental and emotional needs with benefits like wellness programs and mental health days. These health measures not only address burnout but can have an overall positive effect on employees’ morale in the workplace.
Reduced Employee Absenteeism
Implementing solutions designed to reduce employee stress in the workplace can be a complex endeavor. However, providing employees with the support systems they need to improve their health and well-being can have a direct impact on absenteeism.
Employees are more likely to take time off from work due to poor mental health. With help from a reputable employee benefits advisor, organizations can better prioritize their employees’ well-being and foster better mental health, thus reducing unplanned absences.
Reach Out to New City and Solve Employee Burnout
Burnout is a serious condition that is often overlooked by employers. It is important for organizations to recognize the signs of burnout in their workforce and take the necessary steps to minimize stressors and provide affordable and manageable solutions.
The team of experienced employee benefits advisors at New City Insurance has extensive experience providing organizations with powerful solutions with proven results. To learn how the employee benefits experts at New City Insurance can help your organization in the battle against employee burnout, request a consultation or call 888.210.2765.