Sixty percent of tech workers reported that they now work more hours than before the pandemic, according to this survey. Work-life balance has become increasingly more complex with many still working from home due to the pandemic. Rather than working and then going home, people are living at work.
Mental health is essential and relevant in all industries, including ours. For more about the importance of mental health, visit our post on mental health awareness and resources. In our line of work, we are constantly working from various devices and developing multiple instruments and platforms.
Burnout isn’t a new word; it’s a common topic in our industry, and for a good reason. There may be several causes as to why a person could experience burnout. However, according to a Kronos survey, the top three reported are unfair compensation, unreasonable expectations, and too much overtime work.
So how do we recommend avoiding burnout and fatigue? We’ve broken this out into two sections: best practices for employees and best practices for employers.
Let’s start with employees first!
Employee best practices
- Take a step back and evaluate
Sometimes we need to take a step back and take a look at tasks objectively. Prioritize your tasks and decide which ones will need to wait.
- Say no
Communication is key! You understand your schedule better than your employers. There are times when you may have too many tasks to complete and not enough time. In instances like those there may be other employees who can perform the task, or the objective may not be a priority.
Working from Home
- Dress for work and do a commute
Starting your day off as if you were heading into the office can help to create a sense of separation.
- Take a break from work
Take time to step away, whether that be getting coffee or reading a few pages of a book. Decompress, take a quick walk around the block. Take some time to yourself when you aren’t staring at a screen.
Employer best practices
Work to understand what may be causing your staff to burn out and establish strategies to help staff feel supported and alleviate their stress in the workplace.
- Offer a flexible work environment.
Life happens. Create a healthy work environment that supports your staff. It’s important to manage your employees adequately, be aware of deadlines, and communicate with your staff to ensure that deadlines are realistic. Provide support to staff when needed.
- Listen to your employees and create an environment that empowers them
Foster an environment where employees can be highly motivated, encouraged, and appreciated. Empowered employees are more likely to succeed and come to you if there is an issue.
There is plenty of research available that discusses employee burnout. The best way to approach burnout is by taking a look at your business, placing yourself in your employee’s shoes, and trying to understand why they may be feeling the way they are.
For more information on how to manage burnout, visit positivepsychology.com/burnout-prevention.