In the face of long hours, tight deadlines, and heavy workloads, quality auditors and technical professionals often struggle to maintain work-life balance. Identifying individuals’ capacity for resilience not only helps determine their suitability for demanding environments but also pinpoints those most at risk for burnout.
A recent study by Deloitte reported that 77% of professionals have experienced burnout in their current positions. Recognizing who is at risk and understanding the signs of burnout is crucial in today’s high-stress world. This knowledge enables organizations to proactively prevent declines in productivity, reduce absenteeism, foster a healthy workplace culture, and mitigate turnover risk.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion often caused by prolonged periods of high stress and overwhelming work demands. It can lead to feelings of cynicism, detachment, and a sense of ineffectiveness or lack of accomplishment.
Signs of Burnout in Professionals
Burnout can present itself differently among professionals; however, common signs include:
- Absenteeism
- Decrease in productivity
- Disengagement
- Exhaustion
- Increased sensitivity
- Changes in physical traits
Why It’s Important to Protect Your Team from Burnout
With a growing number of professionals experiencing burnout, protecting their well-being is more important than ever. Statistics reveal that:
- Burnt-out individuals are six times more likely to leave their job within the next three to six months.
- 42% of respondents in a Deloitte study left a job specifically due to burnout.
- 91% say unmanageable stress or frustration negatively impacts their work quality.
- Burnt-out professionals in the US are 63% more likely to take a sick day than their engaged counterparts.
Protecting your team from burnout is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision. It enhances productivity, improves retention rates, and fosters a positive company culture, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and sustainable organization.
Three Ways to Identify Team Members Most at Risk for Burnout
- Understand personalities and on-the-job behaviors. Use behavioral assessments such as Attitude-Values-Personality (AVP) and Work style Assessment to gain insights into personalities and resilience. This information helps leaders identify signs of burnout and understand underlying actions contributing to it.
- Watch for behavioral changes. Keep a close eye on professionals for noticeable changes in their demeanor, work habits, and interactions, especially when workloads and demands fluctuate. Signs of burnout include absenteeism, decreased productivity, disengagement, and exhaustion. Increased irritability, withdrawal from team activities, and decline in enthusiasm for tasks are also indicators.
- Perform frequent personalized check-ins. Tailored check-ins help observe behavioral and physical changes up close, build trust, and foster open communication. Scheduling regular check-ins holds leaders and professionals accountable for monitoring burnout. Utilize manager tips in TalentClick Behavioral Reports to guide these interactions.
Get Ahead of Burnout
Safeguarding your team’s well-being is paramount. A report by Gallup and Workhuman found that turnover and lost productivity due to burnout cost businesses around $322 billion globally. By understanding the signs of burnout and identifying those most at risk, organizations can prevent these losses and create a culture of support and resilience.
Utilizing behavioral assessments is the first step in predicting resilience and identifying those at risk for burnout. Start building a happier, more engaged, and more productive workforce today!
This article first appeared on TalentClick’s website and is published here with permission.