Preventing Employee Burnout

Employee burnout is a workplace problem that every business owner encounters. Perhaps you notice a staff member isn't as enthusiastic as he or she once was, or perhaps he or she starts showing up late and taking unexpected sick days. When this occurs, you may think the employee has just suddenly become lazy. In reality, perhaps you are asking too much of this person, or they are feeling under appreciated. Here are some tips for preventing workplace burnout in your company:

Have an Intervention
Unlike the television show, this intervention should be a very calm affair. When you notice that an employee seems to be exhibiting signs of burnout, take the initiative to address the issue right away. Have a one-on-one meeting in your office during which you discuss any issues he or she having, along with ways to fix them. It's very important to not play the blame game or accuse your staffer of not doing his or her work. Instead, ask how he or she is doing and what you can do to help. Some people will open up right there and share that they are having a hard time handling the workload or are having family issues that are interfering with their work. You can suggest helpful solutions like cutting back the amount of tasks they are supposed to complete or delegating to others who have less to do. For family issues, suggest that the person takes some time off or shorten his or her hours to handle the situation. If relevant, you can also guide the employee to speak with a doctor or therapist about any health concerns or other personal matters.

Share your Appreciation
Some people need more encouragement and praise than others. As a small-business owner, it is partially your job to decipher which employees require more attention. Sometimes employee burnout occurs because a person isn't feeling connected with his or her job. He or she may not interact much with his or her co-workers or receive praise from you or his or her manager. To help your employees feel like they are a vital part of the company, give them custom business cards that make their position official. They'll appreciate the gesture and perhaps open up about potential issues they are having.

It's also important to always say, "Thank you," and to acknowledge when someone has done his or her job well. When workers have something to strive for, such as your admiration, they tend to perform better. Consider having a monthly staff get-together where everyone can enjoy one another's company away from work. You can do fun activities like mini golf or BYOB painting, or visit a local arcade. Or, just head out to dinner together. You don't have to be best friends with your staff, nor they with one another, but it is good to blow off some steam together and be friendly even when you're not at work. Plus, these gatherings promote bonding, which can make your employees enjoy their work more and be less likely to experience burnout.