How To Prevent Employee Burnout

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is now classified as an occupational phenomenon, reflecting its growing presence amongst today’s workforce. And while employee burnout is primarily most impactful for those affected by it, it’s worth noting that chronic or collective burnout can also affect every level of a company’s operations, from increased absenteeism to poor time management. Let’s take a closer look.

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What is Employee Burnout?

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Employee burnout is categorised as a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged work-related stress. It often manifests through feelings of detachment, cynicism, decreased productivity, and a general lack of motivation, both for an individual’s work life and personal life. 

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What the Statistics Say

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Let’s take a look at employee burnout in the UK:

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• One in five employees in the UK reported feeling “always” or “often” burned out, according to a recent survey by Mental Health UK.
• In 2023, 75% of UK employees reported experiencing burnout at least once in the past year, showing a sharp increase from previous years (CIPD).
• Remote workers are particularly affected, with nearly 40% reporting higher levels of stress and burnout compared to their in-office counterparts (ONS).

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What Causes Employee Burnout?

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Employee burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it’s often the result of prolonged exposure to high-stress conditions without adequate support or recovery time:

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1. Poor Work-Life Balance

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Work-life balance plays a key role in burnout, especially as many companies take their operations online. Without a clear-cut clock-in and clock-out system, those in remote or hybrid roles can quickly feel burnt out by the expectation of constant availability. The new UK government has taken steps to change this, with “The Right to Turn Off” prohibiting employers from contacting employees outside working hours.

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2. Heavy Workloads

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Another driver of burnout is a heavy workload, often coupled with tight deadlines and high expectations. When employees feel constantly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work they have to do, or feel pressured to meet unrealistic targets by doing unpaid overtime at home, this can lead to chronic stress and, eventually, burnout.

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2. Lack of Control and Autonomy

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Studies consistently show that autonomy is a key factor in job satisfaction, and without it, employees are more likely to experience stress and disengagement. (Linkedin) 

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3. Limited Growth Opportunities

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There’s also the question of career growth (or lack of it). Without meaningful access to career advancement, employees are unlikely to feel fully engaged in their position and their duties, and are more likely to consider their work monotonous and demotivating. Coupled with these other factors, a lack of growth can undoubtedly lead to burnout over time.

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How to Prevent Employee Burnout

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Preventing burnout requires a thoughtful, multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of workplace stress. Here are some effective strategies:

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Offering Flexible Work

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One of the most impactful ways to combat burnout is through flexible work arrangements. Allowing employees to work remotely or adopt a hybrid schedule gives them greater control over their time, reducing stress and increasing productivity - and studies show that over 74% of Brits favour either a hybrid or remote approach.

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How to Implement: Implement flexible working hours and provide tools to support remote work, such as project management software and virtual collaboration platforms. 

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Encouraging Work-Life Balance

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Work-life balance is essential in preventing burnout, yet many employees struggle to maintain it due to heavy workloads and long hours. Tackling this means fostering a culture that respects personal time, where companies can help their employees recharge and perform at their best.

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How to Implement: Set boundaries around work hours, discourage after-hours emails, and encourage employees to take regular breaks throughout the day. Simple changes, like establishing “no-meeting” days or promoting the use of annual leave, can also help employees disconnect from work and recharge.

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Regular Check-Ins

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Open communication is key to identifying and addressing burnout before it escalates. Regular one-on-one check-ins and appraisals allow managers to understand their team’s workload, stress levels, and overall well-being. 

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How to Implement: Schedule regular, informal check-ins to discuss workloads, goals, and any challenges employees are facing. Rather than using appraisals to simply assess a worker’s performance, use these conversations to assess how they’re able to manage their time with the resources available to them. 

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Mental Health Support

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Providing mental health resources can make a significant difference in reducing burnout and supporting employees. When employees know they have access to mental health support, they feel valued and are more likely to reach out if they’re struggling.

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How to Implement: Partner with mental health organisations to provide access to counselling services, workshops, and stress management resources. Many UK companies also offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide confidential support for personal or work-related issues. Training managers to recognize signs of burnout and provide support can further strengthen this initiative.

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Our Role at G-NIUS

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At G-NIUS, we understand that employee burnout isn’t just a personal issue; it’s an organisational challenge that requires strategic solutions. Our approach to preventing burnout focuses on creating a supportive, sustainable work environment where employees feel empowered and engaged.

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We work with organisations across the UK to design custom talent solutions, including helping them implement flexible work policies, promoting work-life balance, and integrating mental health support systems into company culture. 

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Our commitment is simple: to help companies build a resilient, healthy, and productive workforce. Through comprehensive wellness initiatives, regular feedback loops, and data-driven insights, we guide our clients in fostering a culture that values employee well-being and promotes long-term success.

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Want to discuss how we can help support your organisation? Reach out to Marc Allen: marc.allen@gniustalent.com