Burnout is a term that’s become more prominent recently in many of today’s workplaces. The basic definition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is as follows:
“a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
For small business or nonprofit workers, burnout can be an even more commonplace problem. Due to the scale of work for smaller teams, and the pressures placed on nonprofit employees, these kinds of workers can often find themselves burnt out at their jobs.
In today’s blog, we will go over some strategies that nonprofits and small businesses can utilize to prevent workplace burnout.
What is Workplace Burnout?
Burnout can look different depending on the structure of your business, the personalities of your employees, or individual circumstances. There are a few telltale signs of burnout, however, that can be found in almost anyone dealing with it:
- Negative or hopeless attitude
- Late or low-quality work
- Taking more sick days or personal time off due to overwhelm at work
- Physical illnesses like headaches or fatigue
If you suspect that your team is struggling with burnout, it shouldn’t be ignored. Brushing burnout aside and attempting to “power through” will likely leave you worse off. Consequences of unaddressed burnout could include losing members of your staff, having to accept subpar work, or important projects going unfinished.
And it’s not just your organization itself that will be impacted. Remember that employee mental health matters – including outside of work – and preventing workplace burnout is a huge part of that.
Preventing Workplace Burnout in Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Time Off
Everyone needs breaks sometimes, so that’s why we’re listing this burnout prevention strategy first. While it might be worrisome to have absences during busy periods, days off are essential in times of stress. Be as generous as you can with your time off policy – a chance to recharge and refresh will benefit your team in the long run.
Provide Benefits
Benefits are not only typically expected at a job, but are necessary for work-life balance and overall wellbeing. Make sure that basic needs like health care and time off are provided for your team. If you have the capability (and we encourage finding the means to do so) “extra” benefits can also make a big impact.
Examples of “bonus” benefits that can be a great strategy for preventing workplace burnout are:
- Gym membership stipend
- Healthy life hours (time off for mental health or other personal reasons)
- Flexibility at work (with scheduling or otherwise)
- Continuing education assistance
- Home-buying assistance
- Remote work options
While it might not be realistic to provide all of these benefits, take time to look into “extra” perks that could work for your business. Employees want to know that you support their personal lives as well, not just their work lives or what they do for you.
Celebrate Your Employees
Celebrate your employees’ hard work and contributions. Recognition can go a long way, especially during stressful times. Make sure your team knows how important they are, and how much you appreciate their work.
Appreciating your staff goes hand in hand with preventing burnout, with strategies like providing flexibility and time off being of the most benefit. One of our past blogs details some great examples of how to recognize your staff.
Empathy and Understanding
We’re all passionate about our jobs, and it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of our goals. Still, remind yourself that your employees are people, not robots. Thus, empathy and understanding at work are crucial for your team’s overall happiness.
If employees don’t feel comfortable making mistakes, having a bad day, or being otherwise human, then burnout is assured. To avoid this, communicate to your team that understanding is a priority, and learning from mistakes is a crucial part of success. Having an open-door policy on bringing up concerns is a surefire method of preventing workplace burnout.
Bottom Line: Acknowledge the Impact and Start Preventing Workplace Burnout
Even for people who truly love their jobs (or perhaps even more so for those die-hards) facing burnout can be a significant issue. Though it may be an uncomfortable topic, it still must be addressed. Again, encouraging your team to simply push through these unbearable feelings will only result in further detriment.
Our advice: start a discussion of burnout and its impacts with your team. Ask your staff how best to support them through stressful times, and listen to what they have to say. You’ll thank yourself later when your team is functioning at its best (and happiest!)
At KSR, we understand how impactful burnout can be for small businesses and nonprofits, and we’re here to help. If you have questions about what we covered today, reach out! We’d love to talk with you.
For more helpful tips on preventing workplace burnout, stay up to date with our blogs and follow us on social – we’re always sharing the latest advice!
