Workforce participants may be burned out on hearing the term “burnout,” but its impact on all industries is adding additional pressure on the economy.
A recent study shows that 81% of professionals state they are experiencing burnout or other mental health problems – and this isn’t just designated to one industry.
Those working in healthcare are experiencing higher levels of burnout, which in turn leads to more absences and turnover. It’s a domino effect where employees become burned out, leave their jobs, then leave existing workers picking up the pieces.
In order to truly combat this mounting problem, leaders have a responsibility to create policy that directly addresses and empathizes with employee burnout.
According to a study from the MIT Sloan Management Review, companies that are considered “healthy” saw lower levels of absenteeism and were three times more likely to retain employees.
In fact, the research determined that companies that prioritize mental health saw a bigger impact in their employee interventions.
But this means more than offering free coffee and access to yoga classes – leaders need to invest into finding solutions that are proven to combat burnout.
For instance, creating programs that offer childcare services, actual workplace flexibility, paid time-off and more can have an immediate impact on the wellbeing of employees.
Perhaps more importantly, the foundation to creating a culture that prioritizes mental health requires listening and empathy. By conducting employee sentiment surveys and offering them a safe space to communicate their struggles, it allows them to receive the help needed, without fear of judgment.
