Article updated October 29, 2024, 10:00 AM
Burnout, which the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, is a silent killer that affects workplaces everywhere. In fact, according to Gallup, burnout affects employees frequently, with a shocking 28% feeling burned out "very often" or "always". But it's not just productivity that burnout impacts – burnout drains engagement, spikes turnover, and can come at a significant cost to your organization.
So how do you identify it before it takes a toll?
The answer: By asking the right questions.
By incorporating targeted burnout-related questions into your employee surveys, you can spot the early warning signs and take meaningful action before burnout starts eating away at your culture and bottom line.
Understanding Burnout: Key Signs to Watch For
As mentioned above, burnout is a result of chronic workplace stress that has not been properly managed. It manifests as exhaustion, detachment, and a lack of accomplishment, often being mistaken for just "being tired", and can zap the joy out of an individual's career, alongside personal relationships outside of work too.
But it goes far beyond that. When burnout hits, employees may feel overwhelmed by their workloads or emotionally disconnected from their work. Key signs include:- Emotional exhaustion: Employees feel completely drained at the end of the day, no matter the workload.
- Disengagement: A clear lack of enthusiasm or involvement in work tasks.
- Irritability: Increased frustration or sensitivity, even over small things.
- Frequent illness: Stress weakens the immune system, leading to more sick days–or even fake sick days to escape work stress.
- A drop in motivation: The feeling that no matter how much effort is put in, it's never enough.
Understanding the signs of burnout and addressing them early can make all the difference.
Key Questions to Help Identify the Early Signs
To prevent burnout from escalating, it's essential to measure the warning signs early on. Surveying your workforce is one of the best ways to help you establish whether employees are starting to experience burnout. Here are some key questions to ask:
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "There are sufficient people in my team to handle the normal workload."
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "I can cope with my workload without having to work extended hours."
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "I can maintain a healthy work-life balance."
- (On this scale) "How would you rate your mental health right now?"
- (On this scale) "How stressed are you when it comes to work?"
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "My job gives me the flexibility to meet the needs of both my work and personal life."
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "I feel motivated to do my best work."
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "I have the resources needed to do my job well."
- (Agree, disagree or neutral) "I feel supported by my manager."
Strategies for Preventing and Addressing Burnout
One of the most worrying trends today is that many employees are in the dark about what support their organization offers for managing stress and burnout. According to Mental Health UK, nearly half (49%) of workers say their employer doesn't have a plan to spot or prevent burnout, with a further 22% unsure if their employer even has a plan in place. This is a critical gap that organizations must urgently address.
To truly prevent burnout, having resources in place is only part of the solution–making those resources known and accessible is key. Employers should regularly communicate the mental health services, flexible work options, or counselling that is available to employees. Beyond that, managers need to be actively trained to recognize the early signs of burnout, empowering employees to speak up before issues escalate. Consider hosting stress management workshops or providing quick access guides to mental health resources, so that help is always on hand when it's needed most.
Using the ‘Three R' Approach to Manage Personal Burnout
For employees dealing with burnout, the Three R approach can help them regain control:
- Recognize: Identify the signs of burnout early–whether it's feeling emotionally exhausted, disengaged, or constantly stressed.
- Reverse: Address the problem head-on by seeking support or setting boundaries.
- Resilience: Build long-term resilience by taking care of your physical and emotional health, setting realistic goals, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
With the WorkBuzz platform, you can easily survey your entire organization and gain real insights into how your people are doing. Don't wait until burnout hits–start taking action now. Email us at hello@workbuzz.com to get started on creating a healthier, more engaged workplace where everyone can thrive.