Employees are exhausted and leaving their employers at record rates. Many of the workers who voluntarily left their jobs last year cited burnout as the main reason for leaving.
One in four employees say they plan to quit their job after the pandemic because they are burned out, according to data from Envoy, a workplace technology platform. Additionally, one in five workers has left their job because of a
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As workers search for their next position, they’ll likely be more hyper-aware of what to expect to avoid a similar work situation. HR should anticipate fielding questions related to workplace culture while also identifying and addressing toxicity within their organization.
“The pandemic introduced a set of circumstances for which many employers and employees were not prepared to pivot,” says Karin Borchert, CEO of Modern Hire — a virtual hiring platform. “The switch introduced many unforeseen complexities for employers and employees in the home-work environment, [including] personal or family health or financial crises, child care challenges, virtual classrooms and more.”
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In a recent one-on-one interview, Borchert discussed employee burnout, how employers can create a more positive work environment and how potential employees can spot red flags in an interview.
What factors contribute to employee burnout, and how has the pandemic exacerbated these issues?
The lack of in-person connection with co-workers, uneven managerial and employer communication and uncertainty for work-life boundaries all have contributed to employees feeling burned out. Many employees have been struggling with their mental health and well-being. Many employees are caring for children and other dependents, taking on extra responsibilities both at work and around their home environment and are working longer hours than before the pandemic. When employers do not address matters within their control on behalf of their employees, all of this leads to even productive employees experiencing burnout.
How can employers create a work environment that supports employee wellness?
It’s vital for employers to discuss the importance of prioritizing mental health with their employees and encourage workers to create a balance between work and their personal lives. There are a variety of steps employers can take with employees.
Every organization should be communicating with employees more frequently than previously. Having a regular rhythm of updates helps keep continuity and awareness among the organization. Equally important is hearing from your employees through survey tools to keep a pulse on employees’ well-being and overall engagement.
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Managers across the organization should be regularly talking with their employees and acknowledging the challenges people are facing.
Companies may need to pursue training for their leaders to help them manage during uncertain times. Encouraging a performance model that extends flexibility to employees to adjust their work and personal schedules in a way that balances both is ideal.
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What signs of a toxic work environment should potential employees be on the lookout for during an interview?
Candidates should watch and listen for employee wellness in a recruiting process and should not be afraid to ask about burnout and employee care in an interview. Candidates should be interviewing the company as much as the company is interviewing the prospective employee. Social media, company websites and personal connections who have an association with a prospective employer may also be great sources of insights.
How can companies demonstrate how they prioritize work/life balance as they recruit candidates?
Offering a realistic job preview is a great work to help candidates get an inside look at day-to-day responsibilities, key skills needed for success on the job and a view of company culture. Often pairing these previews with technology-powered assessments as well as videos and testimonials from current employees can go a long way in establishing or avoiding a prospective match.
Companies should seek opportunities to showcase work-life balance, mental health benefits and other wellness offerings before and during the hiring process in order to attract top talent. Highlighting mental health resources and company culture can show candidates that the organization values their well-being. Expanding on these benefits during the question-and-answer session of the interview will reinforce this focus.
