The end of summer brings a bit of sadness, but many people welcome fall with open arms. From long drives to view brightly colored leaves, pick apples and “harvest” cider donuts, to the return of football season and pumpkin-spice-everything, the arrival of autumn is cause for celebration.
Employers would do well, however, to recognize that this time of year is also ripe for employee burnout. There are many reasons why that’s the case, and fortunately, plenty of strategies to keep your team working at peak performance during this stressful time of year.
Why fall can fuel employee burnout
Quite simply, there’s an awful lot going on in people’s lives, both in and out of work.
In the workplace, the start of 4th quarter is looming. Typically, that means a final, full-out push to meet sales and productivity goals, and to address issues that demand attention before year’s end. At the same time, organizations are starting to plan for next year, developing budgets, sales and hiring forecasts, identifying challenges, and establishing priorities.
Meanwhile, on the home front, kids are back in school, which means organizing after-school care, homework help, planning for sports, clubs and other activities, and so much more. The schedule for other obligations, from hobbies to community service, is also picking up.
Now, consider all of this is happening at a time when so many companies are short staffed –and the expectations placed on employees are higher than ever – and you have a prescription for burnout that can be harmful to both employees and the employer.
How employers can address employee burnout
Tackling this challenge starts with employers recognizing their employees are people. They can only take so much stress, and beyond that, they will become ineffective, disengaged, or worse. Before it gets to that point, several steps can be taken.
First, check in with employees. Talk to them – schedule conversations if that makes it easier – to find out where they are, what obstacles they face, and what you can provide to help them perform as needed.
Next, assess the workload. Is it realistic for each employee? Are their deadlines and expectations truly achievable? Or, are they destined for failure no matter how hard they work?
Finally, measure your staffing levels against the work that needs to be done. Be honest – is staffing adequate to enable performance? If not, take steps to fix that by making new hires, adding temps, or taking on interns that can fill in the gaps.
It’s critical for employers to understand that not only will a healthier, more engaged workforce be committed and productive, they’ll also be more likely to stay with the organization – and that can head off further issues in the future.
Fall is a great time to assess your organization’s staffing needs, for today and the year ahead, and the experts at Alaant can offer fresh insights that will keep your team humming. Want to learn more? Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started!
