Preventing burnout: What can you do as an employer?

Healthy people, healthy business. This simple statement hits at the heart of what every employer should aim for: healthy, energetic employees as the key to a successful business. Preventing burnout has become essential, as employees are increasingly dealing with burnout symptoms. As an employer, you can take proactive steps to address this. Here’s how you can do it.

A burnout occurs due to prolonged exposure to stress, causing employees to become literally exhausted. It feels as though the battery is completely drained: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Preventing burnout not only impacts the individual employee but also affects colleagues, teams, and ultimately the performance of the entire organization. Recognizing the signs early and intervening in time is therefore crucial.

It’s important to note that burnout is not the same as a bore-out. A bore-out is about under-stimulation, where employees feel bored or insufficiently challenged. Although the two issues are different, early recognition is crucial for both to prevent absenteeism.

Early recognition of burnout signs is crucial in preventing it. Symptoms often develop gradually, but as an employer, it’s important to stay alert to signs such as:

• Persistent fatigue
• Mood swings or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• Excessive worrying and emotional instability
• Feeling overwhelmed or frantic
• Physical complaints, such as headaches and dizziness
• Sleep disturbances

Everyone experiences one or more of these symptoms at times. However, it becomes a serious signal when employees exhibit several of these symptoms simultaneously over an extended period.

Work-related stress is almost always the primary cause of burnout. High workload, tight deadlines, and unclear job responsibilities are common triggers. Moreover, this work stress is often exacerbated by personal factors such as family problems, social pressures, or financial worries. Employees who are particularly vulnerable include those who are perfectionistic, struggle to say “no,” or have difficulty asking for help.

1. Stimulate enjoyment and engagement in work
   Employees who enjoy their work are not only happier but also more productive and less susceptible to stress. Therefore, provide your employees with enough responsibility, opportunities for personal growth, and creative freedom. Positive communication from management strengthens feelings of engagement and involvement.
2. Offer regular appreciation
   Appreciation acts as fuel for employees. It encourages and motivates them to put their best foot forward each day. This doesn’t always have to be material rewards; even a genuine compliment or recognition for achievements contributes to a positive work atmosphere and helps prevent burnout.
3. Create space for relaxation
   A workday is not a sprint, but a marathon. Moments of relaxation are crucial to recharge the batteries. Therefore, consciously provide relaxation opportunities, such as lunch walks, short “brain breaks,” sports activities, or social drinks. Taking a short break ensures that employees can continue their work feeling fresh and productive.
4. Make stress discussable
   Many employees feel ashamed to talk about stress symptoms. As an employer, you hold the key to breaking this taboo. Create an open and safe environment where employees can share their concerns without fear. You may also offer coaching programs to help employees deal with stressful situations and effectively reduce stress-related complaints.
5. Promote a healthy lifestyle
   Vitality is more than just offering fruit in the office. Actively promote a healthy lifestyle by offering healthy lunch options, collaborating with gyms, or introducing a comprehensive vitality program. This not only helps prevent burnout but also increases energy levels and productivity within your organization.

At Lifeguard, we believe that energy is not just a nice bonus but a strategic choice. Energy drives everything forward: employees, teams, and business results. By actively investing in energy and vitality as an employer, you show that the well-being of your employees is a top priority. Preventing burnout directly translates into improved performance and greater engagement.

In summary: make burnout prevention part of your business strategy. Invest in a healthy company culture where vitality, enjoyment, and recognition are central.

Do you have any questions about preventing burnout or would you like to know what Lifeguard can specifically do for your organization? Feel free to contact us. Together, we’ll turn energy into results.