Discover how to prevent and avoid burnout, also known as “burnout syndrome”, through effective internal communication strategies. We tell you how to identify early signs and implement practical tools to protect the health and well-being of your team.
What is burnout and how to detect it?
Burnout syndrome is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by chronic work-related stress. It is expressed in demotivation or disinterest in performing tasks.
To these symptoms can be added the chronic overload and anxiety felt by employees suffering from burnout for the execution of projects, irritability or anger for any type of feedback, as well as the repetitive refusal to face new challenges.
A global problem
Burnout has been classified as an occupational phenomenon and has been included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases, por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).
According to Isolved’s report on trends in human resources (2023), 69% of employees reported having experienced burnout during the last year.
How to avoid burnout at work through effective IC
On the other hand, when asked whether burnout had had an impact on their performance, 45% of employees responded that they were not motivated as they would have liked, 26% said that they fulfilled their required responsibilities, but nothing more. Meanwhile, only 28% said that they were still 100% committed to their work.
How does burnout originate?
Workplace burnout can have multiple causes, and these can vary depending on the employee and the work environment.
Some of the common causes include:
- Work overload: feeling overwhelmed by excessive workloads, tight deadlines and an unsustainable amount of responsibilities can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
- Work-life imbalance: the inability to disconnect from work, whether due to work pressures, long work hours or lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life.
- Lack of control: the feeling of lack of control over one’s work, the inability to make decisions or have autonomy in the way tasks are performed can increase stress levels and demotivation.
- Toxic work environment: a work environment characterized by interpersonal conflict, harassment, lack of support from superiors or colleagues, or lack of recognition and appreciation can contribute significantly to the development of burnout.
- Conflicting work values and expectations: feeling trapped between one’s own personal values and the work expectations of the organization, or perceiving a discrepancy between work performed and personal purpose can lead to demotivation and emotional burnout.
The role of internal communication in burnout prevention
Internal communication plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of burnout syndrome in the workplace. A work environment where open, transparent and effective communication is encouraged can help employees feel valued, heard and supported.
Some strategies to achieve this include:
The value of listening and feedback
It is necessary to establish communication channels where employees feel valued. One of the indispensable practices is “active listening“. This implies not only providing opportunities for employees to express their concerns and suggestions, but also taking concrete actions in response to their needs and concerns.
Empowering feedback allows addressing areas of concern and resolving operational challenges. It gives the possibility to adjust expectations and roles, reducing the stress associated with uncertainty and lack of clarity at work.
Actions that generate wellness
Wellness programs:
Undoubtedly, from the IC area we can promote the physical, mental and emotional well-being of employees. These programs may include exercise sessions, mindfulness classes, work flexibility policies, talks on nutrition, among other actions. By providing resources and tools to manage stress and promote a healthy lifestyle, the risk of burnout is significantly reduced.
Job recognition:
Who doesn’t like to be recognized and valued for their accomplishments and achievement of objectives? It is necessary to include “recognition strategies” that value the contributions of employees.
From simple expressions of appreciation to formal programs that award prizes or incentives, recognition for a job well done boosts morale, motivation and helps counteract the feelings of burnout and lack of appreciation that often contribute to burnout.
Professional development and growth opportunities:
IC again takes a leading role. This time by facilitating information about professional development and growth opportunities within the organization.
Giving people the opportunity to broaden their skills and advance their careers will increase their engagement and job satisfaction, and provide them with a sense of purpose and career direction.
The value of feedback Promote work-life balance:
Overwork and lack of time for self-care can contribute to the development of burnout. Promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging your employees to take regular breaks, unwind outside of work hours and participate in activities they enjoy outside of work.
At Oxean, we are ready to help you establish a comprehensive internal communication strategy that is tailored to the needs and profiles of your teams, in order to prevent burnout and promote organizational well-being.
