Burnout at work may not be a new concept, but for the first time, the WHO officially recognized burnout as an occupational health issue in 2019. Two years down the line, one pandemic later and some hard shifts in the workplace, employee burnout is reaching a fever pitch. Work-life balance remains elusive, and the “always-on” mindset is beginning to take its toll. According to a recent study conducted by software firm, Limeade, burnout is one of the leading factors in the Great Resignation. Instead of looking for support from their employers, workers everywhere are choosing to walk out. So, how do companies pivot to reduce burnout and retain their employees? Corporate health and wellness programs may be the answer.
What Causes Employee Burnout?
Lack Of Control
A lack of control over your workload and schedule can quickly lead to burnout in the workplace.
Lack Of Clarity
Burnout is almost a given when there is a lack of clarity in the workplace. Unclear job functions, poorly communicated expectations, and moving goalposts can cause a great deal of frustration and, over time, lead to burnout.
Poor Work Culture
Company culture plays a huge role in employee satisfaction. When employees are forced to deal with poor attitudes and the low morale of the people around them, burnout is sure to follow.
Lack Of Work-life Balance
Some people may think that giving most (or all) of their energy to their careers is the sure path to success, but many more find that it’s a quicker path to burnout. Whether you’re back in the office or still working from home, work-life balance is crucial to your overall health and well-being.
Effects Of Employee Burnout On The Individual
Burnout can lead to a slew of physical and mental health issues.
Physically, burnout can lead to:
- Poor immune function
- Frequent headaches, Aches pains
- Higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes
Mentally, burnout can lead to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Over time burnout can cause a ripple effect in both personal and professional life. Alcohol and substance abuse, isolation, detachment, and overall job dissatisfaction are not uncommon.
Effects Of Employee Burnout On The Company
Employee burnout can be caused by many factors, and if left unchecked, not only can it lead to severe consequences for the employee, it can also have an adverse effect on the company itself. Over time, employee burnout can be pretty costly as a result of:
- Increased absenteeism/sick leaves
- High turnover
- Lost revenue
Corporate Health And Wellness Programs Can Prevent Employee Burnout
While leading with empathy, walking the walk with work-life balance, and keeping a finger on the pulse of their employees are all crucial to reducing burnout, there’s still more that companies can do. To keep employees motivated, healthy, and satisfied, corporate health and wellness programs may be another important key to keeping burnout at bay.
The overarching theme of wellness programs is to encourage employees to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Well-rounded corporate health and wellness programs that encourage employees to participate in stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, exercise, and even personal health coaching can pay dividends down the line for both the employee and the larger organization. Some studies have even shown that corporate health and wellness programs have a significant and measurable impact on the overall health of employees. Even better, these studies also show that the results and effects are sustainable over time.
Employee wellness programs prompt and promote lifestyle changes that do much to help the individual; the fruits of these programs include:
- Reduced stress levels
- Improved attendance
- Increased productivity
But the benefits of corporate health and wellness programs don’t stop there.
One assessment by Harvard Business Review shared that the ROI of corporate health and wellness programs can be pretty comprehensive. For example, companies like Johnson & Johnson, Lowe’s, H-E-B, and Healthwise consistently reap the rewards of well-run employee wellness programs with an ROI that often includes higher morale. If we were to look at it in terms of dollars and cents, one survey conducted by The Rand Corporation showed a potential ROI for wellness programs ranging from $1.50 to $3 per dollar spent in a span of 2-9 years.
Moreover, team-based activities rooted in wellness programs tend to strengthen relationships and encourage bonding and accountability (for goals that are fun and not work-related). The net effect is that corporate health and wellness programs can do a lot of the heavy lifting to improve teamwork, collaboration, and employee engagement.
Even better, the benefits of workplace wellness programs are quantifiable. In the survey conducted by The Rand Corporation, 60% of respondents who instituted wellness programs in their organizations noted a significant reduction in health care costs.
It’s abundantly clear that when employers make an investment in the health and wellness of their employees, those same employees will respond in kind with more motivation, higher productivity, and loyalty.
As the world keeps turning around us and the curveballs keep coming, employee wellness is top of mind for many organizations. And the truth is there’s no time like the present to invest in your company and the health and wellness of your employees. If you’re not sure where to start, Goomi Group can help. Whether you’re on-site or online, Goomi can meet you where you are with employee wellness solutions that work for everyone.
