According to a study by Indeed, 52% of surveyed employees have experienced burnout over the last year. While external circumstances can certainly play a role, the workplace can also play a major role in contributing to or alleviating burnout. Therefore, corporate leaders can have a powerful and positive impact on employee wellbeing and burnout by practicing the following:
1. Weekly check-ins with direct reports: One of the most valuable things leaders can do is have weekly one-on-one check-ins and meaningful conversations with their direct reports. According to Gallup, beyond discussing project work, performance and deadlines, having deeper discussions by asking how the employees and their families are doing, providing appreciation or recognition of recent work, discussing long term career goals and interests, and acknowledging professional strengths, can make employees feel appreciated and respected. These types of conversations allow for stronger connections, engagement, productivity, positive outcomes, wellbeing and loyalty from employees.
2. Monthly wellness and personal and professional development workshops with teams: Creating a company culture that values education, resources and prioritization of employee health and wellness can create a healthy, happy and thriving workplace. Leaders should consider providing monthly workshops, speaking engagements, panels, Q&A sessions and facilitated group discussions on an ongoing basis to educate the workforce. Key topics could include fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, behavior change, work-life balance, productivity, stress management, career learning and growth, mindset, positive psychology and more. Bringing these types of conversations into the workplace can inspire and motivate employees to be at their best both personally and professionally.
3. Annual or semi-annual executive and team retreats: Providing opportunities for deeper professional connections, holistic wellness, self-discovery, goal setting and team building through a quarterly or semi-annual retreat, can take employee wellbeing to the next level. Planning a fun, engaging and memorable event outside the office can foster even stronger working relationships, team bonding and a positive company culture. Budgets should of course be considered, and these types of retreats don’t have to be extravagant or expensive (unless your company wants them to be and has the means to do so). Either way, investing in people and human capital is always a smart investment and could reap rewards, for employees and the company alike, for years to come.
4. Modeling work-life balance on a consistent basis: In addition to checking in with employees weekly, educating them monthly and rewarding them annually or semi-annually, leaders should demonstrate work-life balance on a consistent basis as well. It’s important for leaders to be cognizant of what time of day (or night) emails are being sent, what the company vacation policies are and how much they’re taking themselves, how much flexibility is provided and if they also work flexibility and if daily movement, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management and other healthy behaviors are encouraged and modeled by leaders as well. Leaders truly set the stage for the rest of the company, therefore, walking the talk, so to speak, is critical for employees to feel comfortable practicing work-life balance themselves. The goal is to prevent burnout and increase wellbeing, engagement and productivity.
Leaders have an incredible opportunity to create healthy, happy, dynamic and high-performing teams through all of these practices mentioned above. While these practices may take some time, energy and investment to implement, they’ll be well worth the effort!