Self Care Sunday’s Series; Burnout In The Workplace

Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and ineffectiveness in the workplace, and by chronic negative responses to stressful workplace conditions. 

Burnout is more likely when employees:

• Expect too much of themselves.
• Never feel that the work they are doing is good enough.
• Feel inadequate or incompetent.
• Feel unappreciated for their work efforts.
• Have unreasonable demands placed upon them.
• Are in roles that are not a good job fit.

In this article titled; “Workplace Strategies For Mental Health” by Canadian Life, the writer offers many signs that an employer should be aware of. Of course we all want the productive and happy employee’s in our workplaces. However; due to what’s been happening with the COVID 19 Coronavirus pandemic employers need to become more aware of their employee’s mental health needs.

On my Facebook page, I asked this question

If you’re still working, what’s your company doing to help boost mental health and moral?
What would you want to see from management that would let you know they care about you?

The comments were very interesting. One person stated,

” We were provided with company logo masks, disinfectant sprays, extra pay for the month of April”.

Some people are receiving an extra bonus for working during this time because they were deemed to be an essential worker, yet others left the impression that management was ignoring their health and well-being.

Recognize signs and symptoms

Your employees may not realize that they are dealing with signs of being burned out on the job.

Some of the signs and symptoms that an employee experiencing burnout may exhibit include:

• Reduced efficiency and energy
• Lowered levels of motivation
• Increased errors
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Increased frustration
• Suspiciousness
• More time spent working with less being accomplished

Severe burnout can also result in:

• Self-medication with alcohol and other substances
• Sarcasm and negativity
• Debilitating self-doubt

Are you a Psychologically Safe Leader?

Take the assessment

Granted this article is written from the Canadian workforce perspective however, I find it can apply to any leadership team or managers anywhere.

As a manager where I work, I’ve found myself with feelings of frustration, inadequacy at times to perform the functions of my job, and anger at the owner and senior management for not showing the staff how anything they really care about them or their mental health.

Make your employees feel special

Leave your employees an email or little notes saying something like “Hey we are thinking about you and we’re doing everything possible to help all of us make it through this pandemic together”.

Don’t become one of those owners or bosses like an Ebenezer Scrooge.

Dig deep into your own pocketbook if you have to and show them you care!

Life is hard enough without having a pandemic in it. Choose to show kindness, understanding, and patience with your employees and make them happy and proud to be your employees.

Please leave a comment.

Gain The Advantage,

Alicia Osmera