Unchecked work-related exhaustion could have dire effects on people's mental, physical and emotional well-being and devastating impacts on an organization. Effective leadership understands their employees are human. When burnout strikes the workplace, you must look for the signs and make changes accordingly.

Identifying Burnout in the Workplace

A 2024 survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that 52% of employees experienced workplace burnout in the previous year, with 37% stating the feeling of overwhelm made their jobs harder to do. 

Burnout does not discriminate against industry, career or demographic. Someone in marketing or nursing could experience just as much burnout as a tradesperson. This negative state could pose adverse psychological, physical and organizational consequences, from poor mental health to lower workplace motivation. Employers should keep an eye out for the following signs:

• An inability to complete work tasks due to fatigue and weariness
• Detachment, interpersonal avoidance and irritable behaviors
• Self-doubt and a decrease in professional efficacy
• Lack of enthusiasm or collaborative input
• Decreased concentration and lower attention to detail
• Reduced work quality and missed deadlines
• Higher rates of absenteeism

An unstable workload, lack of autonomy, insufficient rewards and feelings of undervalue may all contribute to your teams' negative emotions. If burnout at work worsens, you could have difficulty retaining your top talent and producing excellent returns.

The 6 Best Strategies for Combating Burnout at Work

Workplace management entails numerous strategies to improve performance, productivity and job satisfaction. With growing business demands and technological developments in a rapidly changing economy, employers must address burnout immediately.

1. Offer Flexible Work Opportunities

More than 25% of U.S. employees work remotely — a trend that has grown popular since the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, many people prefer working from home, which reduces stressful commutes and allows them to work more comfortably. Some companies leverage flexible work arrangements to attract and retain top talent. 

Offering fully remote or hybrid working opportunities is an excellent way to reduce burnout among team members. This setup could especially benefit employees who require fewer distractions or need to recharge from social interactions. 

2. Foster Open Communication

Do your employees feel they can speak with you when they feel overburdened by their jobs? Fostering open communication will make them feel appreciated and heard, enhance their job satisfaction, and motivate them.

As a manager, it is important to master active listening with your employees by quietly hearing what they have to say before offering solutions. You’ll build a greater sense of trust and have an easier time addressing and resolving issues for a more conducive work environment. Knowing what is happening in your workers’ lives will also give you a better idea of how you can support them in doing their best work. 

3. Delegate Effectively

Overworking your employees is a surefire way to cause burnout. Therefore, an effective management strategy is to delegate workloads effectively. Distribute tasks evenly and consistently among team members, regularly assessing how many items are on everyone’s to-do lists at a given time.

Implementing workload tracking systems and installing project management programs will allow you to easily oversee and balance everyone’s work. Matching assignments to particular staffers’ interests is another way to empower them to take ownership and sharpen their skills. 

4. Encourage Work-Life Balance

It is important to remember that people have lives outside of the office. For example, many might be caregivers or have hobbies they enjoy doing. Encouraging your team to embrace work-life balance is a great way to alleviate stress. There are many ways to help them attain this balance, including:

• Encouraging them to take breaks or mental health days
• Allowing time off for volunteering in the community
• Offering wellness initiatives or employee assistance programs
• Providing child care or family support services
• Establishing clear communication and working hours

Managers should lead by example when it comes to work-life balance by also stepping away from their work, taking time off and setting boundaries. Always ask yourself whether the email you intend to send later in the evening can wait until the next day. 

5. Deliver Professional Development Opportunities

According to the American Psychological Association’s 2024 Work in America survey, 41% of employees are concerned artificial intelligence will make their jobs obsolete. However, these technological advances are unlikely to wane anytime soon, meaning the workforce must learn to adapt.

Employers who provide professional development allow teams to cultivate new skills and knowledge needed in today’s business landscape. Helping workers embrace and adopt these new technologies will also improve employee performance, benefiting the company.

6. Create a Supportive Work Environment

A McKinsey report shows that one in four employees experiences toxic workplace behavior. Those who encounter these behaviors regularly are eight times more likely to experience burnout. 

Creating a supportive workspace is critical to avoiding overwhelm. This could include checking in during one-on-one meetings, hosting team-building activities and recognizing individuals' contributions. Likewise, instilling a growth mindset where everyone views mistakes as learning opportunities removes the pressure to be perfect.

Optimizing the physical work environment is also important. Create a comfortable working space with ergonomic furniture, plenty of natural light, greenery and attractive coworking areas for collaboration. The more relaxed your employees feel, the more productive they will be.

Addressing Burnout at Work Is Best for Your Bottom Line

Employers should never ignore burnout at work. Companies can enhance their productivity and achieve higher returns by addressing these issues. Work with individual employees to reduce stress and improve their motivation within their roles.