Employee Burnout: What is it? Can it be stopped?

Employee Burnout in a Nutshell

I. What is burnout?
- Burnout is an “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” Burnout happens to the best employees.

II. Why is it important to recognize the symptoms?
- To be proactive
- Leads to turnover
- Impacts revenue
- Depletes company morale
- Leads to absenteeism
- Leads to increase in burnout of co-workers

III. What are some symptoms of burnout?
- Emotional exhaustion
- Physical exhaustion
- Frustration
- Alienation
- Cynicism
- Negativity
- Detachment

IV. What are some contributing factors to burnout?
- Role conflict
- Role ambiguity
- Role overload
- Boredom

*Notes -
Role conflict – A person who has conflicting responsibilities will feel pulled in many directions and will try to do everything equally well without setting priorities. The result will be the feelings of fatigue or exhaustion associated with burnout.

Role ambiguity – The person does not know what is expected of her. She knows she is expected to be a good career person but is not quite sure how to accomplish this because she has no role models or clear guidelines to follow. The result is that she never feels that she has accomplished anything worthwhile.

Role overload – The person can’t say no and keeps on taking on more responsibility than he can handle until he burns out.

Boredom – The person is not challenged in their role and allowed to grow their knowledge, skills, and abilities and therefore, becomes bored.

V. Things to do if you are a victim of burn-out
- Establish long and short term goals
- Change eating and exercise habits
- Relaxation Habits
- Renew friendships
- Analyze time management techniques
- Learn to say no
- Analyze your personal values
- Find your sense of humor again

VI. What are some theories of motivation?
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Herzberg’s Motivation/Hygiene Theory
- Expectancy Theory

VII. How can a company decrease burnout and increase motivation?
- Clear key values and culture
- Clear strategy, vision, and goals
- Promote openness and teamwork
- Promote fairness, respect, and justice
- Provide support for employees and a sense of job security
- Provide a sustainable workload
- Address employee complaints and demands
- Communication of both positive and negative information
- Provide timely and fair performance appraisals
- Recognize and reward accomplishments
- Foster a sense of community
- Let employees know they are doing meaningful and valued work
- Allow employees a level of self-determination and empowerment

*Notes – Empowered people are more innovative, effective, and influential. They understand the short and long term goals and challenges of the organization. They can get access to strategic information when they need it and thus are behind the organization and its goals. These goals, responsibilities, and lines of authority must be clearly defined. Empowered employees receive support from all and have secure, predictable relationships with both their managers and co-workers.

VIII. What are some practical methods of employee motivation?
- Ongoing training
- Bonus Incentives
- Allow team-members to assess managers
- Be aware of office politics and never participate
- Recognize employees’ efforts publicly, in meetings, and in writing
- Tuition reimbursement programs
- Offer fair salaries and good benefits
- Conduct employee surveys
- Provide good working conditions
- Allow for advancement
- Encourage communication
- Emphasize the importance of a personal life
- Ask for employee input on motivation
- Conduct exit interviews and apply what has been learned from them
- Motivation must begin from the upper management down

IX. What are some fun and alternative methods of motivation?
- Create a stress-free zone in the office
- Water guns, silly putty, rubber band fights
- Massage therapy in-house
- Interactive group games
- Provide snacks and beverages
- Fun certificates of achievement
- Fun trophies
- Parties
- Inter-team competition
- Voluntary social and sporting activities
- Encourage laughter
- Show and tell
- Annual recipe book with a cook-off

X. Motivation and engagement must begin with management
- Management committed to business, culture and engagement
- Continue to lay the foundation
- Lead by example
- Insure you remain motivated
- Both people and profit matter!
- Do a self-evaluation of your motivating skills