Based on an Indeed survey, 52% of workers are currently experiencing burnout, and two-thirds believe that burnout has escalated during the pandemic. While individual employee burnout is a concern, team burnout can also significantly impact organizational success.
Recognizing team burnout, identifying its causes, and taking proactive measures are crucial for effective management. As data-driven insights are pivotal in addressing workforce challenges, including burnout, this discussion will delve into the definition of team burnout, its observable signs, and proactive strategies for prevention.
What is the precise definition of Burnout?
We’ve all experienced the occasional Monday blues or Friday fatigue, but burnout is distinct and poses inherent dangers.
Job burnout, according to clinical understanding, is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion stemming from prolonged exposure to work-related stressors. It often manifests as a sense of detachment, reduced performance, and a feeling of ineffectiveness at work.
Employee burnout is characterized by an individual feeling stress, exhaustion, and disengagement from their role. On the other hand, team burnout arises when multiple employees within a team concurrently experience burnout.
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally acknowledged employee burnout as an occupational phenomenon and syndrome in 2019. They define it as “a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been effectively managed,” leading to reduced energy, increased mental distance from one’s role, and diminished job efficacy.
Similar to the diversity of causes for team burnout, the indicators may vary between teams and organizations. Nonetheless, some prevalent signs of team burnout include:
- Multiple missed deadlines across assignments, projects, and teams.
- Diminished quality of work produced by your teams.
- An uptick in employees working extended hours or a reduction in work hours accompanied by an increase in time off.
- Decreased communication, collaboration, and feedback among team members.
- Repetitive tasks across roles and other operational inefficiencies.
How Team Burnout Negatively Impacts Team Performance
Individual burnout is bad enough, so you can imagine how damaging it can be when three people, five people, or even ten people all experience burnout at once.
Within the workplace, team burnout can lead to a substantial reduction in organizational confidence, workforce productivity, and engagement. A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed potential productivity losses amounting to $1 trillion in companies attributed to team burnout.
This disengagement contributes to diminished employee satisfaction and retention, weakened customer relationships, and overall reduced success for the business. Addressing team burnout is imperative, prompting managers to delve into employee and team activity data to pinpoint the root of the problem and implement effective solutions.
How To Prevent Team Burnout
- Encourage Work-Life Balance: Promote a culture that values work-life balance. Encourage employees to take breaks, use vacation time, and avoid excessive overtime. Striking a balance between work and personal life is essential for long-term well-being.
- Provide Adequate Resources: Ensure that teams have the necessary tools, resources, and training to perform their tasks effectively. Inadequate resources can lead to frustration and burnout.
- Encourage Skill Development: Provide opportunities for continuous learning and skill development. Investing in employees’ professional growth not only enhances their capabilities but also demonstrates a commitment to their long-term success.
- Provide Employee Recognition Platforms: Implement technology-driven employee recognition platforms to acknowledge and reward team members for their contributions. Recognizing achievements boosts morale and helps in preventing feelings of underappreciation.
Stride ERP effectively prevents team burnout by facilitating efficient workload distribution, providing real-time insights into work progress, and offering tools for task prioritization and planning.
If you’re interested in learning more about Stride ERP, we invite you to schedule an appointment using the following link schedule an online session or contact our dedicated support team at 01 515 5084 or via email at support@strideerp.com.