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Employee Burnout: Who is Most At Risk?

December 9, 2021 | by Jesse Robertson
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In a world with no off-switch, how can employees recharge? Here are some resources and tips to consider.

In today’s world, it can seem as if there is no off-switch anymore in terms of stepping away from work. Employees have been working harder and logging longer hours since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the concept of working from home has become part of the new normal. 

Once considered a temporary situation meant to keep workers safe during the height of the pandemic, remote work is now a long-term reality for a majority of workers. As companies allow their employees to work a hybrid or remote-first work model, the number of workers who prefer a full-time remote arrangement has increased. 

The Cost of Our New Normal

There can be benefits with a 100% remote position, such as reduced commute times, spending more time with family, and reducing exposure to disease and illness. But there are also drawbacks. Rates of employee burnout have risen significantly and a Gallup study found that remote workers can experience burnout at higher levels than on-site employees. 

The Gallup analysis also found that while remote workers are often more engaged, they are more likely to take on emotional trauma. Employees may have a hard time transitioning from work to home time. Parents managing children can feel like they aren’t doing either job at full capacity.

Workers who are not married or live alone may face  stronger feelings of loneliness and isolation. A lack of connection to their co-workers and workplace fostered by remote work can lead some workers to feel as if they aren’t involved in the company or don’t have much insight or control into their professional future. 

A recent study by McKinsey & Company found that lack of communication about a company's vision  both post-pandemic and in the future in general has caused employees to feel increased anxiety, which can lead to increased burnout. 

Being away from the office and your peers can increase already bubbling feelings of being left out or alienated from the rest of the company, especially if you have a full-time remote position. Those who supervise remote workers should take care to check in frequently to monitor for even small signs of burnout and be sure to provide those employees with an equal amount of access to professional development opportunities.

Potential Early Warning Signs of Burnout

It’s important to remember that burnout can come in many forms and doesn’t affect every worker the same. Some common signs of burnout can include:

  • Lack of energy :Burnout can cause chronic stress, leaving employees feeling drained. They’re more likely to lack the energy to complete work tasks.
  • Low Productivity:It can be hard to engage in the very thing causing your burnout, thus making it hard to be passionate about work. This can lead to a decrease in production as negative thoughts about work can affect concentration and disrupt a normal work flow. 
  • Decreased satisfaction when completing tasks: A burned out worker may struggle to take satisfaction in doing their job. This can be a result of employees feeling like they’re work doesn’t matter or they aren’t receiving enough recognition, leading to increased cynicism. 
  • Taking extra sick days or coming in late: Employees that feel burnout are 63% more likely to take a sick day, according to Gallup. While sick days, of course, happen, a typically present and punctual worker suddenly taking more days off and arriving late could be an indicator of burnout.  
  • Increased cynicism:While it’s common to have negative or anxious thoughts about work, a significant increase in a short period of time could be a sign of burnout. Similarly, feeling increasingly pessimistic about things in your job that you usually feel positive can be a warning sign 

Not Just Remote Work: Recent Social Events Are Contributing to Stress

Other recent causes of burnout include the record levels of stress Americans have endured over the last two years, including the global pandemic and a volatile political climate. More employees are now valuing their mental health and well-being over their salary or job title, and are less willing to work in a role that has become mentally draining. This has led to companies exploring ways to decrease burnout rates while simultaneously increasing productivity, which seems nearly impossible in today’s work world.

The Solution for Companies Moving Forward

While research into employee burnout can feel insurmountable, another Gallup analysis shows  that the employees who experience very little burnout have a few things in common. They feel supported by their managers and believe they have a clear set of expectations and goals for them to aspire towards. Their lack of unnecessary stress helps keep their heads clear and focused on more important tasks. These workers also are able to have a good work-life balance. While an “always on” mentality has made work-life balance almost impossible to achieve, it is still possible to prevent burnout by knowing when to step away. These types of employees are able to bring their best effort and attitude to work everyday and feel confident enough in their workday to be able to disconnect when it’s time to head home.

Tips to Help Disconnect from Work

It feels nearly impossible to truly step away when you’re always around your home office or looking at your workstation at some point after hours. Staying so connected to work can lead to increased burnout. That’s why it’s important to find ways to give yourself a break and clear your head after a long workday.

Some tips and helpful ideas for disconnecting from work include:

  • Go for a walk: Walking after work can help provide a healthy activity that gets your blood pumping after a long day of sitting in front of your computer screen. Getting outside and exercising in any way is a good strategy to clear your head and reduce stress.
  • Start a new hobby or pastime:Giving yourself something to look forward to after work can help alleviate work-related stress and keep your mind off work. Creating a new hobby or activity that aligns with your personal interests or something new that you’ve always wanted to try.
  • Write down work thoughts in a journal: Communicating in written form can help get negative thoughts out of your head and onto paper.i. Writing can provide an outlet to properly express your thoughts emotions from the workday.
  • Establish boundaries for afterwork hours: One of the most difficult parts of work-life integration since the pandemic began is distinguishing between personal time and work. With most communication and work-related tasks now done digitally, it’s easier to dedicate extra time to work projects. It’s important to set boundaries for yourself and allow your mind to relax from work. Practice slowly reducing the amount of times you check your email or office communication apps on your phone until you have a set shut-off time. 
  • Turn off all electronic devices for a specified amount of time:Taking it a step further, one strategy to ensure you’re disconnecting from work is to turn off your electronic devices completely. This might not be totally possible depending on your role, but it’s a guaranteed way for you to not be alerted to work-related distractions when you’re at home. It can be beneficial to know that you’re in control of when you’ll receive notifications and allow you the necessary time to decompress from any stress. If turning off technology isn’t possible, many work software tools allow you to schedule quiet hours during which you will not receive notifications.

Burnout Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing burnout, check out these resources for both US and UK workers that can help: