Employee Burnout: How It Happens and What You Can Do to Help

December 1st, 2022

Employee burnout happens in every workplace. Workers may start the job as enthusiastic employees, and then turn into problem people who show up late or don’t show up at all. If you know of workers who have lost motivation for their jobs and show signs of apathy, they may be experiencing employee burnout.

A worker can experience burnout due to a great amount of stress; this stress can be job-related, but it can also be a result of great levels of stress at home. The important thing to remember is that employee burnout can be reversed and there are things managers and employers can do to help an employee get back on track.

How Does Burnout Happen?

Burnout occurs when a person is placed under stress for a long time. Oftentimes, the person is physically and/or emotionally exhausted, and no longer functions like he or she used to. If an employee has been placed in a demanding situation at work or at home, the person may suffer symptoms of burnout as a result, especially if the stress is persistent and ongoing.

An employee may experience burnout if he or she was passed over for a promotion or overworked without recognition, or if there is continual change in a department. An internal inability to set appropriate boundaries may also contribute to burnout. For instance, employees might bring too much work home with them.

Recognizing Employee Burnout

Burnout symptoms are:

  • A change in work habit or attitude
  • Loss of enthusiasm or motivation
  • Absenteeism or tardiness
  • Negative reactions or comments
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Health problems
  • Drug or alcohol use

Additionally, as an employer or supervisor, there are steps that can be taken to help avoid employee burnout affecting the workplace:

  • If your company is downsizing, readjust workloads in creative ways. Ask employees for input, and see which tasks they would prefer to do and which tasks they would like to avoid.
  • Give ample notice about changes in positions or tasks. If downsizing has occurred, firm up schedules to give a sense of routine and continuity.
  • Redistribute workloads if employees seem overwhelmed.
  • Listen to employees and try to counsel them the best you can.
  • Pay attention to what motivates each individual employee and utilize that when assigning projects.
  • Understand your personality style and be aware of how that can play a role with individual employee communication.
  • Schedule after-work events to boost employees’ spirits.
  • Refer employees to resources provided by your Employee Assistance Program (EAP).