Expert cites consequences: employee absences, lower productivity, higher turnover
Employees across the world are calling for the implementation of flexible work arrangements, according to a new report, amid staggering statistics of burnout in workplaces.
Nearly four in five workers (79%) admitted that they felt burnt out in their careers.
That includes 35% who said they are suffering from mental and physical exhaustion, finds a survey released by Express Employment Professionals.
Express franchise owners attributed the surging cases of burnout to high turnover rates in the US.
"There has been massive turnover, causing stress on the existing workers as they are left to carry the load for their job, along with the need to train and develop new employees," said Greg Sulentic, an Express franchise owner in Nebraska.
Assigning more work to fewer people raises the possibility of burnout, said Express franchise owner Chris Cary.
"It is a vicious cycle. Burnout increases employee absences, results in lower productivity, and causes higher turnover, all of which will affect a company's bottom line.”
Solutions for burnout
To address the problem, employers are trying to be more in tune with employees' needs, including:
- Recognising employees for a job well done (46%)
- Allowing flexible work schedules (39%)
- Prioritising the health and safety of employees (38%)
- Encouraging small breaks throughout the workday (35%)
- Encouraging time off (34%)
"There are steps business owners can take to keep their most important assets - their employees - healthy," said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. "Small gestures can go a long way to prevent worker burnout and the negative consequences that come with it."
The top ways an organisation could help to prevent feelings of burnout at work, according to the more than 2,000 respondents in the survey, are:
- Allowing flexible work schedules (53%)
- Providing incentives or bonuses (52%)
- Recognising employees for a job well done (46%)
- Encouraging time off (46%)
For respondents who are jobseekers, 46% said organisations could also put more premium on the health and safety of employees.
