Beating Burnout: How to Keep Employees Engaged & Motivated
Oct 21, 2022
Beating Burnout: How to Keep Employees Engaged & Motivated by Clove & Twine Have you recently felt exhausted for no apparent reason? How about having trouble focusing at work, being unable to relax even during your leisure time at home, or struggling to shut off your brain when trying to sleep? If you can relate to any of these scenarios, you may be feeling the symptoms of burnout - and there's a good chance that your employees are feeling it too. According to a survey from 2021 of 1,501 adult workers in the U.S., employees reported: a lack of motivation, energy, and interest in their work (29%) emotional exhaustion related to work (32%) physical fatigue related to work (44% - a 38% increase since 2019) Although the coronavirus pandemic can take a portion of the blame, the truth is that many people have been working far beyond their physical and mental capabilities for some time. Folks are experiencing burnout, and it’s taking a significant toll on their motivation. How do you keep employees motivated when they’re already mentally fatigued? How do you ensure that employees feel supported and engaged in maintaining productivity? Beating Burnout: Tips for How to Keep Employees Engaged, Motivated, and Productive 1) ASK THEM WHAT THEY NEED. Often managers will assume what employees need rather than asking. Unfortunately, those assumptions will miss the mark. Managers aren’t living the same day-to-day work lives as their employees (and vice versa). Having open and honest conversations with employees can be a challenging part of the process. Still, it’s crucial to discover the root of any issues, whether within the company or between colleagues and managers. Communication is key for gaining a clear understanding of where effective changes can be made. If you’re concerned that employees may feel intimidated to give honest input, send a survey that allows them to select from multiple-choice answers anonymously. The feedback you receive is a great place to start. 2) SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE POSITIVE BALANCE AT WORK. Rest is just as important when it comes to motivation and productivity. One study used a program application to measure the time employees spent on various tasks and compared that data to their productivity levels throughout the day. The results were interesting, albeit unsurprising: those scrupulous about taking short, intermittent breaks throughout the work day were significantly more productive. This was compared to their coworkers who clocked long, unbroken hours in front of their computers. Many employees feel guilt or shame about taking breaks, especially when the culture of work considers rest “lazy” or unproductive. When employees see their coworkers or supervisors working late or eating lunch at their desks, it’s a silent communication about the values that are expected of them. Communicate to your team that your work culture supports...