Employee Burnout: Signs, Causes, and How to Prevent It

Burned-out employees are significantly more likely to seek other jobs, take sick days, and underperform, and according to Gallup, three in four employees in the U.S. experience it. Not only are these flags a problem for the well-being of employees and the culture at your organization, but they are retention and productivity problems that affect your bottom line. Yet many organizations respond only after the signs are obvious, like spikes in turnover and drops in productivity. The causes have been building for months, but only “now” are you seeing the effects and trying to regroup. What is employee burnout? The World Health Organization defines employee burnout as a syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is classified as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition, and has three defining dimensions: Exhaustion. Physical and emotional energy remains depleted even after ordinary rest, such as a weekend away from work. Cynicism. Employees become increasingly detached or negative toward their work, colleagues, or organization. Reduced professional efficacy. Employees lose confidence in their abilities and feel that their effort no longer produces meaningful results. Burnout is chronic, not episodic, meaning it builds gradually as workplace stress…