The (10) Ten Red Flags of Employee Burnout and How to Address Them

The Ten Red Flags of Employee Burnout and How to Address Them

More than ever, workers are anxious and stressed out.

How can employers support employees so that potential burnout is reduced?

As economists predict a recession, there has been ongoing discussion in the labor market about whether workers who quit their jobs at the height of The Great Resignation will soon return to their previous employers.

Even though recent reports indicated that the U.S. economy contracted for a second consecutive quarter, the abrupt economic downturn has not done much to encourage workers to return to the labor force. The skyrocketing cost of living and sky-high consumer prices have only made things worse for business owners, who already face a number of difficulties due to labor shortages, inflation, and supply chain issues.

Raising wages alone won’t be enough to draw in and keep employees. In order to help staff members cope with increased levels of stress and workloads, employers should start looking for possible signs of employee burnout.

Burnout was defined by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974 using three main symptoms:

• a lack of drive
  Unhappiness at work Feeling ineffective

What are some additional warning signs employers should watch out for since it’s common for employees to feel demotivated, ineffective, or unsatisfied at work?

1. A toxic work environment

Employees are still dissatisfied with their workplace environment even in a time when employers are under pressure to attract talent with higher pay, medical aid benefits, remote work, or other job-specific benefits.

According to recent statistics, 15% of job seekers turned down job offers because of a company’s unfavorable work culture. According to research, employees who don’t feel appreciated are twice as likely to leave their jobs in the coming year, and a further 46% of job seekers cited work culture as one of the key determining factors in their application process.

2. Workers are worn out

It’s normal to feel exhausted from working nonstop, but when the majority of the staff shares this feeling, hiring managers and employers need to take action.

People who experience high levels of stress at work frequently report feeling more exhausted. Some jobs are also getting more demanding as employers struggle to keep employees, adding more work and stress to their current workforces, which only has an adverse effect on their wellbeing.

3. Insufficient concentration

Employees who are worn out, anxious, or stressed out will be less focused at work. This is simple to spot in a traditional office setting because employers can tell when a worker is having trouble focusing at work.

On the other hand, businesses that are either fully remote or that use a hybrid system will find it harder and harder to monitor employee concentration.

4. A lack of drive

Some employees may experience a sudden decline in motivation if they are having trouble finding enjoyment or interest in their work.

Employees may not be motivated enough to put their best effort into their work if they struggle to finish projects on time or if the quality of their work declines.

5. Workers get easily irritated

While it is common for some employees to have disagreements with their coworkers over their divergent viewpoints or personalities, some workers may even be angrier as a result of feeling ineffective, underappreciated, or undervalued. Excessive anger, having a short fuse, or harboring resentment for other coworkers are typical signs of irritability.

 

6. Less productive levels

Productivity problems on the part of an individual or team can put a lot of pressure on a business. Burnout-ridden employees won’t be able to meet their current deadlines.

When this starts to happen frequently, employers need to start noticing the problems and dealing with them right away.

7. A drop in the caliber of the work

The overall quality of projects has a tendency to be lower than anticipated when employees start finishing them for the sake of finishing them. Second, it is obvious that employees no longer care about the work they are doing if minor errors are starting to happen frequently.

8. A cynical attitude

Cynicism can result from a number of things, but it is most common when workers feel underappreciated, their work goes unnoticed by their employers, or they begin to lose interest in their work. Cynicism can spread quickly among coworkers who might not have been aware of their underappreciated work or feelings.

9. A decline in one’s health

Perhaps the most obvious indications that employees are worn out or lacking in energy are low levels of personal health.

The physical well-being and health of employees can be negatively impacted by high levels of stress and anxiety. If a worker is suffering from severe health issues or can’t seem to get over a cold or the flu, it may be a sign that their job is to blame.

10. Conflicts that can arise at work

It’s not entirely unusual to witness some sort of employee conflict, and sooner or later, one or more employees will probably cross the line, whether it’s with a coworker or possibly a manager.

While employers shouldn’t be paranoid about their employees, it is advisable to deal with any workplace politics and unresolved conflicts as soon as they arise. Resolving the problem will provide a clear indication of what may be the source of the issues, including whether employees are showing signs of fatigue or feeling demotivated.

The conclusion
People who are happy in their jobs are more likely to stick with their employers over time. The organization is doomed to fail without employees, that much is clear. As more employees experience burnout, they will be more motivated to resign or quit without following the proper procedures. Your staff will take care of you if you value their work and look out for them.