Regardless of what industry you’ve built your business in, burnout is something that you should always be on the lookout for. From negatively affecting individual health to bringing down the efficiency of the office itself, this occurrence isn’t something to take lightly. As such, it’s up to you to monitor the current state of your team and take action to combat this threat to their wellbeing. These are some of the tell-tale signs your employees are suffering from burnout and what you can do to stop it in its tracks.
Decreased Productivity
If your once hardworking and dependable team is no longer finishing projects at the rate they once were, it’s an indicator that something else may be going on. Decreases in production can mean that employees aren’t feeling connected with their work anymore—which often looks different depending on who you ask. Some individuals may feel exhausted, while others could be frustrated or even depressed with the working environment. Identifying these root issues and addressing them is crucial to working through them.
Mistakes are Becoming Frequent
You may also notice that, of the work being done, a larger number of mistakes are being made throughout the process. As individuals become overwhelmed, it’s easier for them to lose focus and make severe errors in judgement. Because of this, it’s something you quickly want to nip in the bud. Should your employees seem to be making more mistakes than usual, discuss it with them. This could reveal deeper issues such as exhaustion or an overabundance of work.
Illness Is More Prevalent
Another common sign your employees are suffering from burnout is that more individuals seem to be calling in sick. When we start to run low on energy, it becomes harder for us to maintain optimal brain function and a strong immune system. So, as your employees become burnt out, they’re at an increased risk of getting sick and needing to call off of work. To avoid this, make sure that you’re encouraging your team to take care of themselves. This is one of the best ways to prevent remote worker burnout.
The Team Seems Disengaged
Burnout could just mean that your employees are less involved with meetings as well. While this might seem less severe than the other signs, it can quickly develop into something more if left unaddressed. Your team may appear uninterested, untalkative, and even like they aren’t focused on you. Any of these things can result in a lapse in communication and lead to problems down the line. Therefore, addressing this now is vital to the team’s overall functioning.
