How to Prevent Burnout and Promote Well-being

In today’s fast-paced world, there is an increasing pressure to work around the clock. Long hours, tight deadlines, and always-connected technology can exacerbate this pressure, leading to excessive and prolonged stress and burnout. According to Deloitte’s Burnout Survey, 77% of professionals have experienced burnout at their current job. Among millennials, burnout rates are even higher at 84%. To address these rising burnout rates, organizations must begin prioritizing employee well-being.

Promoting holistic well-being has cascading effects for both individual employees and an organization as a whole. Improved employee well-being can lead to greater motivation and engagement which supports higher quality work and productivity. Investing in wellness programs has also been shown to boost morale and strengthen an organization’s culture resulting in higher retention rates and employee satisfaction. Further, employee participation in wellness programs can promote greater physical and mental health which in turn reduces an organization’s healthcare costs. For more on the benefits of employee wellness programs, check out this article from Harvard Business Review.

Employee and company health go hand in hand. Without a healthy workforce, a company cannot thrive. Below are some strategies to promote employee well-being, and in turn, company success.

10 strategies to prevent burnout and promote employee well-being

1. Promote work-life balance: Encourage employees to disconnect after work hours and take time off to recharge. Offer flexible working hours or remote work opportunities where possible to allow employees to better manage their personal and professional lives. It’s also important to regularly review workloads and adjust accordingly to ensure workloads are reasonable and manageable.
2. Implement mental health policies and programs: Mental health support should be a key part of any organization’s health and well-being strategy. Consider providing access to counseling services, mental health days off, and spaces to de-stress. This may look like quiet rooms for meditation, prayer, or naps, or accessibility to outdoor spaces.
3. Support physical health and safety: Ensure that the physical work environment is safe and comfortable. Consider ergonomic workstations, regular breaks to avoid prolonged sitting or eye strain, and easy access to healthy food and drink options. Subsidizing gym memberships, providing exercise facilities, or implementing wellness challenges can also promote physical health and boost company morale.
4. Foster a supportive culture: Cultivate an environment that encourages open communication, mutual respect, and teamwork. Ensure wellness initiatives are flexible and accommodate all abilities, cultures, and religious needs. An inclusive and supportive atmosphere can help alleviate job-related stress and prevent burnout.  
5. Train managers: Managers play a critical role in preventing burnout. Train them to recognize signs of burnout, communicate effectively, and support their teams in managing stress. Managers should also be provided with sufficient support and resources to manage their own stress.
6. Provide a safe space to voice concerns: Allow employees to express their feelings and concerns without fear of retribution. Regular check-ins and surveys can help identify any potential issues early on to ensure appropriate support can be provided.
7. Offer professional development opportunities: Employees who see a clear path for growth and development in their roles are less likely to experience burnout. Encourage skill development and offer opportunities for advancement to keep employees engaged and motivated.
8. Provide regular recognition and feedback: Regular recognition of effort and good work boosts morale and job satisfaction. Providing constructive feedback and expressing appreciation for employees’ contributions can help individuals feel valued and decrease the likelihood of burnout.
9. Be transparent and lead by example: Clearly communicate all wellness programs and policies to ensure employees know what’s available. Management should take advantage of wellness offerings themselves to role model healthy habits and demonstrate a commitment to health and well-being.
10. Offer comprehensive benefits: Provide quality health insurance that includes medical, dental, vision, and mental health coverage to ensure holistic care. Offer flexible paid time off for sick days, parental leave, vacation time, and more to allow for greater rest and recovery to keep employees at their best.

This holistic approach to well-being provides employees flexibility, resources, and a supportive environment to help them thrive mentally and physically. Together, these strategies help prevent burnout and foster a healthier, happier, and more productive workplace.

About Arbor

Arbor enables leaders to easily capture, analyze, and benchmark DEI outcomes. Through integrations into existing HR systems and compliant self-ID surveys, Arbor helps organizations use their people data to uncover trends around workplace culture and fairness outcomes. Arbor’s customizable surveys also enable leaders to collect employee sentiment data to better understand employee wellbeing and build a more inclusive workplace.

How to prevent burnout and promote well-being