5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Employees Experiencing Burnout
Did you know more than 8 out of 10 employees are at risk of burnout this year, according to the 2024 Global Talent Trends report published by Mercer?
Defining Burnout
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognise burnout as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It can occur when you experience long-term stress, for example, working a stressful job.
Perhaps this isn’t you, so why should you care about how to prevent it? We all know stats speak for themselves and in a research report carried out by Mental Health UK it was revealed 91% of adults in the UK reported they experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress at some point in the past 12 months. So, if you’re in the lucky 9% the likelihood of you working with, living with or simply knowing someone who will experience burnout this year is significantly high.
What does this mean for business?
We’ll try and keep this short and to the point – believe us there is a lot to say on the matter but let’s begin here: the evidence of stress and pressure among adults in the UK underscores a critical issue that businesses cannot afford to ignore. We know it’s tempting to dismiss burnout as an individual problem; however, the impact extends far beyond the individual to affect entire organisations. To that end, we also live and breathe in a people-first world (like it or not!) and when employees are under constant pressure and stress, their productivity, creativity and overall performance suffer. This, in turn, can lead to decreased efficiency, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates within companies.
What can businesses do?
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, organisations must recognise that the well-being of their employees is not just a “nice to have” but a strategic imperative. Companies that prioritise employee wellbeing and actively work to prevent burnout are more likely to attract and retain top talent, have a positive work culture, and ultimately achieve long-term success. By investing in programmes and initiatives aimed at reducing stress and promoting work-life balance, businesses can create an environment where employees can thrive, leading to improved performance, innovation, and overall organisational resilience.
5 things you can do to prevent employees from experiencing burnout.
- Promote Frequent Rest Breaks – encouraging regular breaks isn’t about kindness – it’s about mental rejuvenation. Studies confirm that short breaks boost productivity and creativity. Businesses prioritising this culture support well-being and drive innovation. Sustainable success means working smarter, not harder.
- Encourage Work-life Balance – hardly brand-new information but for those who think they have it, do you? A good work-life balance is crucial to preventing burnout, it recognises individuals’ holistic needs. Balancing work and personal life encourages well-being and resilience. Time outside work renews energy and supports meaningful connections. Prioritising work-life balance boosts job satisfaction, reduces turnover, and enhances productivity. If you answer emails outside of work hours, doom scroll through LinkedIn (need we remind you this is first and foremost a professional network?), have an unused holiday allowance at the end of the year, find yourself either considering or genuinely prioritising something work-related over your family or friends then your work-life balance is not harmonising my friend.
- Promote Mental Wellness– Mental health is more than just a personal matter—it significantly impacts our workplaces and economy. In the UK, ill mental health costs a staggering £117.9 billion annually, with over £100 billion of that amount falling on England alone (source). Gone are the days of leaving our personal lives at home; our thoughts and feelings follow us into work, influencing our productivity and success.
That’s why Mental Health Awareness is crucial in the workplace. Normalising conversations around mental health is the first step. Encourage openness and provide resources like counselling services and mental health hotlines. Flexible work arrangements can ease stress, while a supportive culture of empathy and understanding is crucial to well-being. Workshops on stress management and mindfulness empower employees to prioritise their mental health. By investing in mental wellness, we create environments where employees feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
- Empower Employees – This one is achievable for all businesses – and the benefits are two-fold while it is key to preventing burnout it also comes free or at minimal cost to a business.
When employees feel empowered, they have a sense of ownership over their work and are more motivated to succeed. Two simple, yet effective ways to empower your employees: show them trust and give them your time. - Recognise & Reward Effort (give credit where credit is due) – acknowledging people for a job well done and celebrating both small and large wins alike. This includes praising individuals for tasks or responsibilities that are essential to their role. By offering recognition, we affirm the value of their contributions, making employees feel seen, appreciated, and motivated to continue their efforts. Therefore, reducing the chance of burnout, decreased productivity and so on.
While implementing all of them may not be feasible, simply being aware of burnout, its causes, and how employers can prevent it is a crucial first step toward creating a healthier work environment which ultimately reduces the risk of burnout at work.
And, for those stat lovers among us here’s a little stat set for you to soak up (over your lunchbreak 😉)
- 87% of employees who take daily lunch breaks show increased job satisfaction (source).
- 55% of employees want to work for a company that actively supports their mental health – this percentage has doubled in the last 10 years (source).
- People between the ages of 24 to 44 are twice as likely to prioritise work-life balance over salary (source).
- 96% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention (source).
- Only 22% of managers strongly agree that their companies provide them with the tools and understanding of how to recognise colleagues effectively. (source).
- 82% of employees are happier when recognised at work (source).
If you’re still asking why is understanding, recognising, and doing more to prevent burnout important? Simply, when recruitment budgets are tightening or being wiped out entirely, and filling jobs isn’t as easy as it was five years ago looking after your teams has never been more important.
Had enough of hearing from us but still intrigued by the topic? Nobody says it better than Mental Health UK.
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