Combat Burnout in the Summer

Have you experienced burnout in the workplace? You are not alone.

In 2023, 65% of employees reported burnout that affected their performance. This can be detrimental to the workplace because it causes employees to experience:

  • Depletion or exhaustion
  • Becoming mentally distant from their job or viewing it in a negative manner
  • A decrease in productivity

Because of the high burnout percentage, leaders are paying closer attention to this trend to improve the employee experience and company culture. With summer here, it’s a great opportunity for companies to address this phenomenon. Here is a trifecta of tips to help you help your employees:

 

Phone Free

Being connected to the workplace has never been easier than it is today. But that also means employees check their work emails and messages when they are supposed to be off. Oftentimes, employees feel obligated to stay in the loop just in case an issue happens with one of their projects, and they can quickly jump in to help resolve it. Encourage employees and managers to trust one another and increase confidence that tasks will be managed when someone is out. Truly logging off for time away helps employees reset and generate new ideas with a refreshed mind when they return to work.

Listen

Sometimes, employees do not know where to start when dealing with their burnout. Helping employees manage their exhaustion can be as simple as just listening. Listening to their concerns consistently can resolve minor issues before they become major. This type of communication can occur during manager 1on1s, offering an anonymous tip box for employees who are not sure how to discuss their concerns out loud, or hosting a company-wide forum discussing mental health. Whichever option you select, it’s important for employees to know their concerns and questions are taken seriously.

More Flexibility

Summer naturally means more trips will be taken but what about the employees who do not take time off? In this situation, it can be difficult to establish a work/life balance, and burnout can increase when employees see others take time off. A solution to this is adjusting work hours or offering more days off in the summer. Whether you offer shorter hours worked one day a week or have employees take every other Friday off during the summer, implementing mandatory time off is an effective way to address burnout.

While burnout is not going to be cured overnight, incorporating policies and having open conversations can help employees realize they have burnout. Not only that, but they will also feel comfortable taking the needed time to turn off their work phones and reset.