Under normal circumstances, managers can usually spot the warning signs when a team member is starting to experience burnout. However, in our COVID-19 pandemic world, many employees are still working remotely at home. Spotting signs of employee burnout can be more challenging for an employer or manager when they don’t see the team member every day. The experts at HR Anew have rounded up a few diverse ways to spot employee burnout, even when your team is working from home. Keep reading to learn more!
Always Logged On
One of the most challenging transitions of working from home is setting boundaries for work and personal hours. Many employees find themselves working all hours of the day and always making themselves available. If you notice that your team member is usually logged on or sending emails throughout night hours, this may be a sign they could be experiencing burnout – or they are on the path to burnout.
Never Available
In contrast, if you notice that your team member is never available, this too may be a sign of employee burnout. Take notice of how your employees act in Zoom or conference calls. If your employee was once engaged and a communicative participant, but now they remain silent or keep their camera off, this could be a sign that something may be going on. Reach out to engage in a dialogue to check in to explore the observation and identify ways to help.
Absences are Becoming More Frequent
Surveys have shown that employees experiencing burnout are much more likely to call in sick or take extended absences from work. If you notice that one of your employees is calling out sick more than usual, check in to see how you can support them. Keep in mind that there may be external factors that are causing them to call in sick, like increased caregiver responsibilities.
Negative Attitude
A negative attitude is toxic in the workplace and can spread quickly amongst a staff. Negative attitudes or cynicism can destroy productivity, workplace culture, and even the customer experience. Suppose you notice that an employee is becoming harmful, or your team members report that an employee is being negative. In that case, it’s crucial to find the underlying cause of the issue right away.
Loss of Confidence
Some of us may be grappling with a lack of self-confidence during this pandemic. This can stem from issues within or outside of the workplace. Do you have an employee questioning everything they do or no longer demonstrating confidence in their decisions? This loss of confidence and trust in themselves can be a sign that they may be experiencing burnout.
Decreased Productivity
If you notice that an employee who once performed well at work is suddenly making mistakes or not turning in work on time, this can be a clear sign of burnout. Your employee may be experiencing feelings like having trouble concentrating or feeling overwhelmed. They may also not have clear instructions of what is expected from them. Communication is key.
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