Burn Out - Ashorne Hill

Are We Burnt Out?

How Learning and Development Helps Employee Wellbeing.

There is no denying that burnout is an ever-present issue in organisations. According to Spill Chat, 79% of UK employees experience burnout, and 35% report extreme levels of it.[1] However, there are several factors which play a pivotal role in employees feeling burnt out, including poor management, a toxic workplace culture, and a lack of work-life balance. In this article, we explore the reasons why employees feel burnt out and how learning and development initiatives offer help and support to employee wellbeing.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is an emotional, physical, and mental state of exhaustion caused by feelings of overwhelm and heightened stress levels. Left untreated, burnout can chip away at an individual until they reach breaking point, causing them to feel unmotivated and disengaged with their work and personal life. In the workplace, it is reported that 33% of employees are less focused at work because of burnout, while 31% admit to losing interest in work and a further 21% having increased procrastination.[2] Evidently, burnout is a huge issue that needs to be addressed in the workplace to prevent the deterioration of employee health and wellbeing.

4 Reasons Why We Are Burnt Out

1. Poor Management

Poor management or ineffective leadership causes several issues among employees. These issues range from a lack of support and communication from leaders to unrealistic expectations that leave employees feeling pressured and overwhelmed. Organisations with poor management often see a high turnover rate and decreased productivity in teams which can severely impact company growth and success.[3] If there is no clarity or encouragement from leaders, then employees are left feeling frustrated and burnt out.

2. Heavy Workload

Employees with a heavy workload are more susceptible to burnout due to an increase in pressure and feelings of overwhelm. The tell-tale signs of a heavy workload include difficulty sleeping, a decline in productivity, procrastination, and a decrease in job satisfaction. The effect of a large workload not only causes issues in the workplace, but also has a detrimental effect on employee wellbeing, both physically and mentally.

3. No Work-Life Balance

When employees are overworked in an organisation, the lines between work life and home life become blurred. With an increased workload, employees may feel compelled to bring work home which starts an unhealthy cycle of mixing work with their personal lives. Nowadays, work is more accessible due to the advancement of technology, making it easier work remotely, however it poses more of a challenge for employees to switch off. Once work and home life begins to blend, employees can end up feeling distant and disconnected with their personal and social lives.

4. Toxic Workplace Culture

A toxic workplace culture significantly contributes to burnout among employees due to negative conflicts, a lack of support from colleagues, and destructive gossip. If employees feel unsupported or uncomfortable in the workplace, then they may find it difficult to cope with challenges and workloads resulting in feelings of frustration and, in some cases, isolation. Without a positive workplace culture, employees are more likely to become overwhelmed and at risk of being burnt out.

How Can Learning and Development Help Employee Wellbeing?

When employees are prepared with the right human skills, they feel more capable and satisfied with their job roles which creates a more productive and motivated workforce. Learning and development programmes aim to nurture and inspire learners and provide them with support and guidance to avoid the risk of burnout. These programmes can shine the spotlight on specific human skills that will help individuals understand and evaluate themselves and others within the workplace.

According to People Management, a study of 564 organisations showed that 36% saw an immediate increase in wellbeing as a result of short-term skills development.[4] Additionally, 1 in 4 saw an improvement in workplace wellbeing due to longer learning and development programmes.[5] These findings demonstrate how important learning and development initiatives are in improving employee wellbeing if there are signs of burnout in the workplace.

What About Managers and Leaders’ Wellbeing?

Organisations can benefit from management and leadership development programmes to ensure leaders and managers can delegate tasks efficiently and effectively without feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. It is important to have skilled leaders and managers who can help reduce the risk of burnout if employees are under pressure due to a heavy workload or are struggling to find a work-life balance. By developing their management teams, organisations will see a more positive workplace culture as employees feel supported, motivated, and engaged.

At Ashorne Hill, we strive to deliver inspirational learning to help organisations develop critical human skills for their workforce to prevent the risk of burnout among employees. With a premium facility and in-house learning professionals, Ashorne Hill provides wellbeing initiatives for individuals to realise their full human potential in the workplace.

Watch our video wellbeing video today, which highlights top ways to identify burn out in the workplace and how to break the cycle.

To find out more about how we help combat burnout and promote employee wellbeing please contact us today

Article written by Ashorne Hill’s Victoria Sparkes

Reference

[1] Spill.Chat. “64 Workplace Burnout Statistics You Need to Know for 2024.” Spill.Chat, www.spill.chat/mental-health-statistics/workplace-burnout-statistics.

[2] “Job Burnout: How to Spot the Signs and Get Help.” We Love Salt – UK, 7 Dec. 2023, welovesalt.com/news/career-advice/what-is-burnout/.

[3] Lodhi, Imad. “Burnout: The Consequences of Poor Management.” LinkedIn, 12 Sept. 2023, www.linkedin.com/pulse/burnout-consequences-poor-management-imad-lodhi/.

[4] Dan Cave, et al. “Can L&D Really Boost Wellbeing?” Home, www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1821906/l-d-really-boost-wellbeing.

[5] Dan Cave, et al. “Can L&D Really Boost Wellbeing?” Home, www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1821906/l-d-really-boost-wellbeing.