
Employee Wellbeing: From Burnout to Flourishing in the Modern Workplace
Written By Jawad Junejo
Discover the ultimate guide to transforming employee wellbeing in the modern workplace, as we delve into effective strategies to combat burnout and foster flourishing. This blog shares the secrets to a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce for you.
The ever-changing recruitment landscape shows us various workplace trends and due to the unprecedented talent shortage around the globe, the focus on the wellbeing of employees has increased.
A Deloitte survey reveals that 77% of professionals experience burnout, and 70% feel their employers aren’t implementing strategies to alleviate the cause.
Unrealistic deadlines, lack of recognition, and constantly working for long hours were the biggest contributors to burnout.
Today, employees expect companies to prioritize their well-being because they recognize their mental, physical, and emotional health impacts their productivity.
Employers also look forward to transforming company culture to boost job satisfaction and employee performance.
This guide digs into the importance of employee well-being, factors shaping it, and tips on managing burnout.
Employee Wellbeing and Why Does It Matter
A McKinsey survey unfolds that work-related stress costs US employers around $200 billion yearly in healthcare expenses. This means despite the perks companies offer, employees undergo pressure that affects their physical and mental well-being.
While a few employees request sick leaves to recover, others feel the urge to complete work-related tasks despite feeling out of sorts.
Both former and latter cases reduce work performance, impacting the company’s productivity.
Contrarily, companies that prioritize employee wellbeing form a productive and healthy workplace. Here’s how else it benefits individuals and organizations.
• Enhanced Mental Well-being
Research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that the poor mental well-being of employees directly impacts businesses’ productivity and profits.
However, promoting employee well-being contributes to positive outcomes. Organizations reduce stress, anxiety, and burnout by creating a supportive work culture catering to employees’ mental well-being.
• Reduced Absenteeism
The American Institute of Stress unfolds that a whopping 1 million workers are absent daily due to stress. By supporting employee wellbeing, companies can minimize absenteeism rates.
Employees who feel physically and mentally well are less likely to take leaves or report ill. As such, companies enjoy the blessings of enhanced and consistent work operations.
• Better Productivity
Physically and mentally fit employees are more likely to stay motivated and focused. Prioritizing employee wellbeing henceforth promotes productivity and encourages employees to perform their best.
• Increased Job Satisfaction
Harvard Business Review reveals a correlation between job dissatisfaction and employee turnover. Not only do dissatisfied employees waste recruitment costs, but they are also likely to spread negative word of mouth.
By valuing employee wellbeing, organizations promote holistic health and happiness. This fosters a sense of job satisfaction leading to increased loyalty, high employee morale, and reduced turnover.
Factors Contributing to Burnout
Addressing the factors that lead to burnout is critical to determine the root cause. When companies recognize where the employees struggle, they can take steps to create the right culture to promote employee well-being.
The common burnout causes include but aren’t limited to the following:
• Excessive Workload
Another Harvard Business Review publication highlights that excessive workload and resulting stress contribute to numerous health issues.
Employees may encounter heavy workloads due to urgent business needs or understaffing. It leads to burnout and compensated work quality, impacting organizations’ profitability.
• Reduced Social Support
A supportive work environment is crucial for employees to collaborate and positively contribute to the company.
Unfortunately, a lack of support from peers and authorities leads to unwanted challenges for employees. Not only do they feel unwelcomed, but they lose confidence, leading to burnout.
• Toxic Workplace Behavior
Toxic workplace behavior is one of the biggest contributors to burnout symptoms. Unfair treatment and a sense of feeling undervalued create a toxic work environment.
Besides, micromanagement and cutthroat competition also lower the self-esteem of workers. Employees working under such conditions are more likely to drive attrition and increase turnover rates.
• Lack of Autonomy
Autonomy refers to the freedom employees have in performing job-related tasks and decision-making. The sense of autonomy enhances employee loyalty and engagement.
It goes without saying that freedom is one of the biggest motivators in the workplace. Therefore, employees with limited autonomy over their work are at a higher risk of developing burnout.
• Uncertainty
Certainty means having the ability to forecast and comprehend the world around you.
Employees with a greater sense of certainty clearly understand their responsibilities. This makes them feel confident and more likely to navigate the changes around them.
On the flip side, uncertainty causes burnout and exhaustion. Therefore, providing employees with accurate guidelines about their roles is critical to improving their well-being.
Tackling Burnout In the Modern Workplace
Managing burnout is critical to employee wellbeing, talent attraction, and positive company culture. In fact, providing a safe and healthy work environment is an ethical responsibility of organizations.
Companies that cater to employee needs are more likely to have a positive reputation in the industry. Here are a few tips for tackling burnout in a modern workplace.
• Prioritize Listening
Employee needs are consistently evolving. Companies must listen, survey, and measure them to tailor strategies accordingly.
Numerous companies, for instance, introduce employee wellbeing surveys to learn how employees feel and address their stressors. When employees’ concerns are heard, they are less likely to feel burnout and more likely to engage, focus, and perform better.
• Nurture Inclusive Cultures
Employees at the top companies are empowered to be themselves. They are not asked to deny their authentic selves at their job. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programs generally encourage and nurture this.
An inclusive work culture promotes respect among employees and inspires its people to be the best version of themselves. Employees who do not have to fake themselves but rather be themselves are less likely to feel burnout.
• Extend Employee Well-Being Beyond Workplace
While a positive work culture is critical to employee wellbeing, extending it beyond the workplace helps employees feel valued.
For instance, a few companies provide employees access to a dedicated counselor and various mental health resources.
This encourages employees to discuss mental issues openly rather than consider them a stigma. Besides, leaders can check in with their team members and ensure their wellness
A few companies expand their resources to family, physical, and financial health to give employees a sense of belonging and make them feel less lonely at work.
Closing Notes
Employee well-being is not merely a buzzword or a fleeting trend – it is a cornerstone upon which thriving companies are built. Therefore, as we navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving work environment, we must prioritize employees’ holistic health and happiness.
Imagine a workplace where exhaustion replaces vitality, stress gives way to resilience, and disengagement blossoms into a culture of passion and purpose.
This vision can become a reality when we embrace the power of employee well-being and wholeheartedly commit to tackling burnout head-on.
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