One of the most difficult aspects of running a business is keeping your employees healthy, happy and productive. We all want to make sure that we are getting the most out of the people who work for us, but employee burnout is real and can cost your business in a big way. Employee burnout has risen to the point that it has actually been defined as an official diagnosis by the World Health Organization. Here are three signs to watch out for to determine if your employees are being overworked.
The average productivity per American worker has increased 400 percent since 1950, but that comes at great expense to average workers. Indeed, if a worker is repeatedly calling in sick, it may mean one of two things: Either they are either taking time off because the stress of the job is forcing them to take time away from the office, or they are so burnt out from working in your office that it is getting them physically sick. This shouldn’t be confused with periodic sick days. That’s normal and that happens to everyone. However, if someone is calling in sick more frequently—maybe once a month—it could be a sign that something more serious is going on.
If someone is working on weekends, it means that they are working harder than most employees should be expected to work. Working on weekends is often a bad thing, as it indicates that a boss may be placing unreasonable demands on employees, or that employees don’t have enough time during the week to get a job done. Furthermore, working on weekends can deny employees a chance to rest, recharge and spend time with family or doing things that they love. While occasional weekend work can sometimes be expected, doing so on a regular basis can lead to burnout and employees leaving their job.
Employees will always quit for greener pastures, but if it’s happening on a regular basis, you may have a problem with how your business operates. One way to determine if your employees or quitting because of burnout is to conduct an exit interview when an employee leaves. This will enable you to determine if employees are quitting because they are unhappy with your company, and what you may be able to do to alleviate the situation. Ask them specific questions about their workload, burnout, and if they felt as if they had to leave because they could no longer tolerate your business. Asking these questions when an employee is leaving your company is more likely to result in honest answers.
Remember, employee burnout is a major problem, but it’s also an avoidable one. Make sure you manage your employees with care and respect and remember that they, like you, want to spend time on non-work-related pursuits. Create a culture where overwork is not tolerated and insist that your employees take time to take care of themselves and their families.
Related: 7 Ways to Boost Employee Morale
