4 Tips to Prevent Employee Work From Home Burnout

4 Tips to Prevent Employee Work From Home Burnout 

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned workplaces upside down. Circumstances of the crisis have many employees struggling to do their jobs remotely. Boundaries between work and home are blurred, and with so many uncertainties, stress related to family health, childcare, and finances cumulate at high speeds.  

Work from home burnout is real. Burnout happens when employees cannot separate their work life and their home life. This is especially difficult when you are working and living in the same space. By being so technologically connected, it might be difficult to turn off and put away these devices. It could lead to the feeling of always being “on” which is draining both physically and emotionally. Adding childcare and homeschooling responsibilities on top of these circumstances can make burdens feel even heavier. 
 

However, this crisis has the potential to create opportunists for companies to make investments in building a more flexible and empathetic workforce. Success looks different for all organizations, but a few key areas where companies can focus or expand their efforts include: 
 

Sustainable Work Pace 

Re-examine productivity and performance expectations set before the pandemic to see if they are still realistic. Ask if goals need to be reset, project scopes redefined, or extending deadlines. 
 

The New Norm 

Establish set meeting hours, implement flexible working policies, and improve communication about new changes. Leadership should model flexibility in their own lives to help employees embrace new work norms and take advantage of options. 
 

Take a close look at performance reviews 

With the shift to remote work and the challenges employees might face with work-life balance, performance criteria set before COVID-19 may no longer be applicable. By reassessing criteria to ensure attainability, managers can help relieve employee stress while also refocusing on priorities. 
 

Strengthen communication 

Employees should not be surprised about key organizational decision-making. Instead, employees should feel consistently informed and addressed directly when it comes to difficult news. Employees should also be made aware of the full range of benefits available to them during this time. Open and frequent communication is critical.

COVID-19 has prompted organizations to rethink fundamental beliefs about remote work. With this shift, many companies should make employee mental health and well-being a much higher priority. The more employees can bring their “whole self” to work, the more the workplace will work for everyone. For help or more information, contact our Healthy Workplace Business Consultant, Marla Breitbarth at breitbarthm@duq.edu or call (412) 396 - 1633

 

Next Steps

Our consultants here at the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center can assist you with your small business. We offer no-cost business consulting in Southwestern PA. You can request consulting here.