Utah Business: 9 Expert Tips to Help Employees Avoid Burnout

In the Utah Business article "9 Expert Tips to Help Avoid Employee Burnout," G&A Partners’ Senior Client Success Manager Tracy Winn discusses how heightened workplace stress, exacerbated by various other factors, often leads to employee burnout. She highlights the critical need for employers to proactively identify and prevent this chronic issue, which can have costly repercussions for businesses. 

In the article, Winn discusses the main differences between stress and burnout.

“While ‘stressed’ employees typically strive to stay engaged and connected to their work environment, those experiencing ‘burnout’ often display signs of disengagement, lack of motivation, feelings of helplessness, and a belief that improvement is unattainable,” writes Winn.

Winn says managers should use the below key strategies to combat employee burnout before the situation escalates, including but not limited to:

• Set Clear Expectations: Ensure employees understand their roles and goals to avoid confusion and stress.
• Foster a Safe Learning Environment: Allow mistakes to be learning opportunities rather than sources of punishment.
• Provide Downtime: Manage workloads effectively and offer periods for employees to regroup.

Many managers do not feel properly trained to identify and prevent burnout, Winn says, so they should “request training to help recognize signs from employees who may be struggling or experiencing stress at work. This training should teach effective communication skills and ensure you and other managers have the necessary support from HR and/or upper management to assist employees before issues escalate.”

By implementing these strategies, employers can create a healthier, more engaged workforce and mitigate the risk of burnout. Winn recommends promoting your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a confidential resource for employee support, if available.

Read the full Utah Business article here.