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There is ongoing talk in the labor market about whether workers who left their jobs at the height of The Great Resignation will soon return to their previous employers, as economists suggest a recession is imminent.
The sudden economic downturn has done little to push workers back into the labor market, not even recently reports revealed that the US economy has contracted for the second consecutive quarter. The rising cost of living and skyrocketing consumer prices have only hurt business owners more, as labor shortages, inflation and supply chain restrictions add to the many headaches some owners are currently experiencing.
It will take more than a pay rise attract and retain staff. Employers should look for possible signs of employee burnout to help staff cope with increased levels of stress and workload.
In 1974, psychologist Herbert Freudenberger characterized burnout based on three main symptoms:
- Lack of motivation
- Dissatisfaction in a job
- A sense of inefficiency
It is common for employees to feel demotivated, ineffective or dissatisfied with their job. What are other warning signs employers can look out for?
Related: Identifying, Preventing, and Avoiding Workplace Burnout?
Contents
- 1 1. Toxic Workplace Culture
- 2 2. Employees are exhausted
- 3 3. Low Concentrations
- 4 4. Lack of motivation
- 5 5. Employees are easily irritated
- 6 6. Lower Productivity Levels
- 7 7. Decrease in the quality of work
- 8 8. A sense of cynicism
- 9 9. Decreased Personal Health
- 10 10. Common Workplace Disputes
- 11 it comes down to
1. Toxic Workplace Culture
Even at a time when employers are struggling and need to attract talent with higher pay, medical assistance, remote work or other job-specific benefits, employees are still unhappy with their work environment.
recent statistics showed that about 15% of job seekers turned down a job offer due to a company’s lack of positive culture and overall work environment. A further 46% of job seekers said work culture is one of the most important determinants of their hiring process, while research shows that employees who feel unappreciated are twice as likely to quit their job in the following year .
2. Employees are exhausted
Being tired from working all the time is normal, but when the majority of the workforce has a shared sense of exhaustion, it’s time for employers and hiring managers to step in.
Employees who deal with a lot of stress at work usually feel more tired. Some jobs are also getting tougher as employers struggle to retain staff, putting more work and stress on existing employees, only to the detriment of their well-being.
Related: 3 Major Signs of Entrepreneurial Burnout and How to Overcome It
3. Low Concentrations
Employees who are exhausted, anxious and stressed are less likely to concentrate on work. In the traditional office, this is easy to spot, as employers can pick up on those who have trouble concentrating on the job.
On the other hand, keeping up with employee concentration is only going to get more difficult for those companies that are either completely remote or have a hybrid arrangement.
4. Lack of motivation
A sudden drop in motivation can mean that some employees have trouble enjoying their job or taking an interest in the work they do.
If employees struggle to complete projects on time, or if you notice a decline in the quality of their work, they may not be motivated enough to commit to the job.
5. Employees are easily irritated
While it’s common for some employees to clash with their co-workers because of their differing opinions or personalities, some employees can be even more annoyed because they feel ineffective, undervalued, or unappreciated. Common signs of irritability include excessive anger, shortness of breath, or underlying anger toward other co-workers.
Related: How Entrepreneurs Can Prevent Burnout Among Their Teams
6. Lower Productivity Levels
Problems with individual or team productivity can put a lot of pressure on a company. Employees who feel burned out will no longer be able to meet their current deadlines.
When this happens regularly, it’s time for employers to learn about these issues and address them as soon as possible.
7. Decrease in the quality of work
When employees start finishing projects to get them done, their overall quality is usually lower than expected. Second, if minor mistakes become a common problem, it is clear that employees have lost motivation in the work they do.
8. A sense of cynicism
Cynical attitudes can have many causes, especially when employees feel that they are not valued, employers fail to notice the work they are doing, or when they begin to lose passion for their work. A cynical attitude can quickly spread among other employees who may not have noticed that their work or feelings are not valued.
Related: 5 Awesome Ways to Beat Burnout
9. Decreased Personal Health
Low personal health is perhaps the most noticeable sign that employees are exhausted or not as energetic as they used to be.
High levels of stress and anxiety can negatively impact the physical well-being and health of employees. If there’s an employee who can’t shake off a cold or flu, or who has serious health problems, it could be a sign that it’s related to their job.
10. Common Workplace Disputes
It is not entirely uncommon to witness some form of employee dispute, it is almost certain that somewhere along the line there will be one or two employees crossing a line, be it with another colleague or perhaps with a manager.
Employers should not walk on eggshells around their employees, but it is recommended that any workplace politics and pending disputes be addressed immediately. Solving the problem gives a clear indication of what could be causing the problems, whether it’s employees feeling demotivated or even showing signs of exhaustion.
it comes down to
Employees who are satisfied with their job tend to stay loyal to their employer for longer. The bottom line is that without employees, the organization is set up to fail. As more employees feel burned out, they will become more motivated to resign or leave without using proper protocols. If you take care of your employees and appreciate their efforts, they will take care of you.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.