Remote work burnout has become very common in the modern workplace. Especially post the Covid-19 pandemic, employees have become stressed physically, mentally, and emotionally, resulting in frequent resignations and a shortage of talent.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), workplace burnout is commonly known as workplace stress which needs to be managed by companies.
Let’s look at some statistics on why burnout is a serious problem and why it’s important for companies to address it.
- Statistics by Forbes show that 67% of employees in the US stated that burnout had worsened the situation during the pandemic
- According to a Microsoft survey, 40% of employees around the globe are considering quitting their jobs due to workplace stress
- As per Forbes Deloitte Insights, 77% of employees in America are facing burnout in their current jobs
Remote teams often feel more stress due to the mix-up in professional life and personal life. The shift in paradigms resulted in new challenges, and companies are still coping with the situation and encouraging employees to maintain work-life balance.
Let’s look at some reasons why remote teams are experiencing work-from-home burnout.
Reasons behind remote work burnout
- Lack of workplace inspiration- A day that begins with a bunch of emails, a full calendar, and pending work can cause employees to become stressed, which can lead to burnout.
- Irregular work hours- Work from home flexibility allows remote teams to work anytime and anywhere but at the same time can lead to irregular schedules and pending tasks.
- Home distractions- The most common burnout reason for employees is distractions. A room full of children, guests, and work becomes overwhelming and makes the remote employee frustrated and less interested in work.
- Unclear goals- Often, remote teams experience burnout as a result of unclear goals and responsibilities.
- Lack of supportive environment- There is a huge difference between working from home and the office. An office environment motivates employees to stay productive, but remote workers adopt a laid-back attitude that results in pending tasks.
How remote teams can reduce burnout
01. Use the right remote work tools:
Companies need to invest in productive and useful remote work tools and technologies to make tasks easier for remote teams so they can complete their tasks efficiently. Project management software , time trackers, collaboration/communication software, and more are available in the market.
Technologies that automate human tasks can save a great amount of time, and employees would be less stressed.
02. Encourage flexibility:
Allow your remote team flexibility of work. Do not keep watching over their shoulders to see what they are working on or what they are doing at every moment. Putting such limitations and being nosy can result in stress and frustration.
The pressure of the pandemic is enough to keep the employees’ minds clouded. Give them space and allow them to work any time they want as long as they are meeting the work deadlines.
Allowing your employees to do remote/hybrid work according to their preferences can make them feel motivated.
03. Promote work-life balance:
The company should encourage employees to practice work-life balance. Companies can bring change in policies like early shutdown, no emails Wednesday, fun Friday, etc. These small initiatives can bring lots of benefits and are likely to keep employees happy and stress-free.
Allow your teammates to relax, meditate and take breaks within the work premises.
04. Express gratitude:
Expressing gratitude to your employees is a great way to connect with remote teams and keep them motivated and optimistic throughout the project. It develops a positive relationship between employees and managers.
Employees tend to work better if their efforts are valued from time to time. They are likely to become more punctual and sincere towards their work as a result of this gratitude.
05. Practice emotional intelligence:
Emotional intelligence means controlling your emotions to manage work in efficient ways. Practicing it helps you stay positive during stressful times, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be able to carry out your tasks more effectively and positively.
It is a skill set that helps employees to deal with tough events and circumstances. It not only brings positivity but also helps overcome emotional problems and develops focus. It is also beneficial for handling personal life matters.
06. Collect regular feedback from employees:
Many companies have opted to collect regular feedback from employees, and it has become a common trend in most modern-day organizations. In various places, employees do not get a chance to speak up about their manager, and staying silent can impact their mental health and work environment.
Hence, collecting feedback in the form of a survey can be beneficial to a great level. That way, remote teams can freely share their feedback and opinion about their managers.
Conclusion
Workplace burnout is a critical issue that should not be neglected by employers. When left unaddressed, stressed employees will fail to fulfill your objectives. As a result, consider employee burnout issues and strive to resolve them.
Make your remote team happy, productive, and focused by following the advice outlined in this post.