According to Gallup data, 76% of employees report experiencing burnout at some point. Unfortunately, this can have significant negative impacts on your organization.
The World Health Organization states that burnout is characterized by feelings of mental distance from one’s job, negative or cynical thoughts, and reduced professional efficacy, all of which can hinder engagement, performance, and morale.
Additionally, burned-out employees are 63% more likely to take sick days and 23% more likely to end up in the emergency room. This, in turn, can lead to increased absenteeism and higher health premiums.
With burnout costing companies and employees in so many ways, you’re likely looking for ways to combat it. Consider the following employee benefits strategies to keep your employees engaged and excited about doing their best work and contributing to organizational success.
What Causes Employee Burnout?
There can be myriad causes of burnout. Though they’re often unique to each employee and their circumstances, some common workplace issues that can lead to burnout include:
- Overworking employees
- Creating a negative workplace culture
- Setting unrealistic productivity and performance expectations
- Not creating opportunities for employees to progress in their careers or engage in work that aligns with their talents
- Not supporting employees’ efforts to create a work-life balance
Data shows that many people value proper work-life balance above employee compensation and job security, highlighting the importance of helping your employees achieve it.
If your employees are experiencing high rates of burnout, it may be time to consider what aspects of your policies, processes, and organizational culture you can change to help them re-engage in the work they once loved.
Taking Action: What Employers Can Do About Burnout
Clearly, preventing burnout is key to achieving your strategic goals and objectives. However, your strategies must go beyond simply raising employee compensation or offering snacks in the office. Here are a few ways organizations can ensure that employees have what they need to thrive.
Encourage PTO Use
Surveys show that 78% of employees don’t use all of their paid days off. Often, this isn’t because they fear that their employee compensation will somehow be reduced — it’s because they feel guilty about doing it.
Some 76% of employees wish their employers would emphasize the benefits of taking time away from work. One way you can combat burnout in your organization is to grant that wish.
Talk with your managers to make sure they aren’t pressuring employees not to use their PTO days. It’s also important to ensure that your organization has a clear policy and easy process for using and approving PTO so employees don’t feel confused or nervous when asking for time off.
Offer Mental Health Days
Many employees struggle with disconnecting from work. Offering time off specifically for relaxation can remind them that there’s life beyond their professional contributions. Consider whether you can incorporate mental health days into your employee benefits package so workers can take time to do something they enjoy.
If you aren’t able to offer full days off, you might consider adding other perks, such as half-day Fridays during the summer or flexible working locations. These options can allow and encourage employees to get away from the office and decompress, which can translate to improved engagement and performance once they return.
Make Sure Employees Use Their Benefits
Employees don’t always know what’s offered in their benefits packages. Consider offering workshops to help your team members maximize their healthcare plans and other perks. Doing so can remove the stigma around using benefits and ensure employees that they have your full support in taking advantage of what they have.
Help Your Employees Thrive and Grow With the Right Benefits Package
The benefits you offer your employees can give them the resources they need to enhance their mental and physical health and avoid the negative impacts of employee burnout.
The experts at Benefits Advisory Group can help you craft a package that works for both your budget and your employees’ needs. We can also provide virtual training to help your employees make the most of what your organization furnishes.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in using the right benefits to create a culture of engagement in your organization.