Spotting and addressing burnout in your employees

In a workplace where stress isn’t managed carefully, employees start to burn out. Burnout is a serious issue that affects productivity, morale, and retention. Recognizing the signs of burnout among each is critical for maximizing talent and satisfaction.

Employees experiencing burnout will not often go out of their way to make it known to their leader or manager. Instead, they will exhibit the signs of dissatisfaction or disengagement. Managers can recognize these signs can step in early, accommodate their employees as necessary, and keep the needle moving.

People will express their burnout in different ways depending on who they are, what motivates them, and how they communicate. For example, a hard-natured person with leading traits may express their burnout more openly and vocally than a soft-natured person with peace-keeping traits.

Burnout can manifest differently in traditional office settings versus remote environments, but with that being said, there are some common, universal tells that often indicate that an employee is burning out. Here are some key indicators:

Increased irritability, withdrawal, and anxiety

Chronic stress takes a toll on the mind and body. A person who starts withdrawing from conversations, stonewalling, failing to collaborate effectively, or becoming easily frustrated may be experiencing burnout. In general, ineffective communication is a telltale sign of burnout, especially in employees that are normally strong communicators.

These signs of irritability may be outward expressions of a stress-induced decline in mental and physical health. These people may look visibly drained or tired, and you can often tell that something is “off” with them besides how they interact . Behind the scenes, they are likely experiencing some kind of physical symptom like headaches, gut pain, tension, fatigue, or something else.

A decline in quality or productivity

A burnt out employee often makes mistakes, misses deadlines, and generally falls in performance. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s obvious. If an employee who previously met or exceeded expectations without trouble is suddenly struggling to complete tasks or making more errors than usual, it may be a sign that they feel overwhelmed with the workload they’ve been given and are struggling to keep up.

A loss of enthusiasm

A burnt out employee will often default to the bare minimum, and it can happen to anyone, even people who normally go above and beyond. Look for a lack of motivation or a disinterest in company culture. If they are very burnt out, they may even start calling in sick more often or showing up late without explanation.

Addressing burnout

Recognizing burnout is just the first step. Once signs are identified, employers should take action to prevent further stress and help employees regain balance.

Encourage open conversations: Regular check-ins, whether in person or via video calls, provide opportunities for employees to express concerns. Leaders and managers can take 1-on-1s as opportunities to gather direct feedback and better understand what they can do to manage stress for their employees.

Recognize and appreciate efforts: Acknowledging hard work and expressing gratitude can go a long way in keeping stress down and motivation high. Small gestures, like a simple thank-you message or recognizing achievements in team meetings, can go a long way towards a person’s ability to fulfill their role.

Adjust workload and expectations: Sometimes, an employee just doesn’t have the capacity to complete everything that they’ve been tasked with. After identifying a burnt out employee, collaborate with them to figure out how you can make their workload more manageable.

Final thoughts Burnout is a serious issue that can impact any employee, whether they work in an office or remotely. By paying attention to subtle changes in behavior and performance, employers can intervene before stress turns into long-term disengagement. Prioritizing employee well-being and actively managing stress is essential for maintaining a productive, motivated workforce.