As this year enters the second quarter, it is a good time to take stock of employee morale at your company. Even in the rewarding fields related to STEM, employees can and do become burned out. What are some signs of burnout that you need to be on the lookout for?
Let’s take a look at some of these burnout signals, as well as some tips for motivating workers stuck in that situation.
Look for Absenteeism
If certain workers are coming into the office late, or even taking an abnormal number of sick days, that’s a good sign of burnout. This could take place after a big push to finish a project that required extra effort. On the other hand, maybe the type of work they are assigned seems mundane or not exciting?
Has Employee Productivity Dropped?
The sharp new ideas and innovative solutions from your best and brightest seem to be drying up. If formerly top rank workers are accomplishing less in the same amount of time, this is a strong sign of employee burnout. Are these employees being overworked?
Increased Socializing and Decreased Focus
If you notice an increase in office socializing during work hours, it could be a sign that your employees are trying to handle a stressful situation by not focusing on their work. They could be overworked, bored, or uninspired.
While some of the signs and causes of employee burnout can be interrelated, there is no doubting the adverse impact on your organization’s productivity and efficiency. Here are some tips to mitigate burnout and inspire your workers.
- Conduct an anonymous employee survey to narrow down the actual causes of any burnout. This will help in dealing with the issues at the core of the problem.
- Consider adding temporary help to allow employees to take extra time off, or to decrease the amount of overtime required for project work.
- Offer training or employee development opportunities. This helps with workers who feel their workload is too boring or mundane.
If you need any additional advice on handling employee burnout, talk to the experts at Scientific Search. As one of the leading STEM staffing agencies on the East Coast, we can help you manage your staff or even offer a lifeline with some qualified help on a contract or permanent basis. Schedule some time with our experienced recruiters today!
