Hardly a day goes by where hiring managers don’t face the challenge – and feel the frustration – of trying to land top talent in today’s difficult job market. That’s understandable; with more job openings than candidates to fill them, the process of building top-performing teams has gotten more arduous than ever.
What many employers may not realize is the group of people also being negatively impacted: their existing staff. In fact, it’s leading to growing incidences of employee burnout, and that’s a warning sign for all involved.
Why employee burnout is rising
Hiring managers are doing their best to fill openings, but in many cases, it’s simply not happening fast enough. At the same time, the organization needs to deliver on its workload. As a result, current employees are facing a greater burden, and when that’s not addressed, it leads to employee burnout.
Too often, even if employees need help, they won’t ask for it. Why not? For some, it’s a matter of pride; others may think they’ll be deemed a failure; and still others might consider themselves or their situation not important enough for assistance. Whatever the case, as employees become burned out, the implications are serious.
How to recognize employee burnout
So, how do employers know when an employee is becoming burnout out, or already there? There are a number of signs. First, an employee will show frustration at not being able to keep up with their work. Then, he or she will become miserable. Once that happens, they’ll begin to make their co-workers miserable. Finally, that discontent spreads to clients. Now, not only is your staff being affected, but your entire brand is also being jeopardized.
The first step in breaking this pattern is to recognize it, and that’s only possible when an employer communicates consistently with members of the team. Through regular conversations, you’ll see an employee becoming more withdrawn, less collaborative, and more argumentative. You’ll notice their performance beginning to suffer. And, not surprisingly, you’ll see turnover rise as employees decide they’ve had enough.
Addressing employee burnout
Once you’ve determined an employee is burned out, it’s time to get them some help. One avenue is to give employees access to mental and physical wellness programs that provide insight into coping mechanisms. Another option is to bring in reinforcements. Do a deep dive into your hiring process, with an eye toward making changes that will accelerate your ability to hire new employees.
In either case, the experts at Alaant have the know-how and experience to guide your organization through the situation. We’ve worked with HR departments to improve the environment for existing employees, and to ramp up their hiring process. Can we be of assistance to your company? Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started!
