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Ep #10: Workplace Burnout: Understanding and Tackling Employee Burnout

Updated: Jul 14

Workplace Burnout

This episdoe of "Billable-Hour Burnout" coincides with the final week of National Stress Awareness Month. We'll discuss the state of employee burnout and explore the findings from "The State of Burnout Report", with research lead by Sally Clarke and the Infinite Potential team.


The State of Workplace and Employee Burnout

Burnout is a significant issue affecting many professionals, especially in high-demand fields like accounting, law, and consulting. The cost of presenteeism and absenteeism due to stress is estimated at over $300 million annually.


Workplace Burnout

Key Survey Findings


Burnout Rates Plateauing

  • Current burnout rates are at 38%, down from the pandemic peak but still alarmingly high.

  • Two out of every five professionals are experiencing burnout, highlighting the widespread issue of burnout among employees.


Gender Disparity in Burnout

  • Women experience burnout at higher rates (42%) compared to men (30%).

  • This reflects the dual responsibilities women often shoulder at home and in their careers, contributing to burnout in employees.

Perception Gap on Employee Wellbeing

  • There's a significant difference between management's perception of employee wellbeing and employees' actual experiences.

  • Managers often believe wellbeing is stable or improving, while employees report declining wellbeing, indicating a serious issue with burnout in employees.


Impact of Shorter Work Weeks

  • Employees working less than 40 hours per week show higher engagement and wellbeing.

  • Shorter work weeks reduce psychological risk and burnout rates, providing a potential solution to reduce employee burnout.

Benefits of Hybrid Work

  • Hybrid work arrangements (2-3 days in the office) lead to better wellbeing and quality of work.

  • This model balances in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work, effectively addressing burnout among employees.

Burnout and Loneliness

  • Burnout can lead to loneliness, with those experiencing burnout being twice as likely to feel lonely.

  • Remote work and lack of social interaction contribute to this issue, highlighting the need to address both burnout and employee loneliness.


Workplace Burnout

Addressing Workplace and Employee Burnout

The survey highlights the need for organizations to implement effective strategies to combat burnout. Here are some actionable steps:


Promote Work-Life Balance

  • Encourage shorter work weeks and flexible work arrangements.

  • Adopt value-based fees over hourly rates to reduce stress on billing hours, effectively managing burnout in employees.

  • Understanding why time management is important in the workplace helps employees prioritize tasks, reduce stress, and maintain a healthier work-life balance. Check out our article on finding that work-life balance.

Support Women in the Workplace

  • Implement policies that support women’s dual roles and promote gender equality.

  • Provide resources and programs tailored to women's unique challenges, addressing specific causes of employee burnout.

Bridge the Perception Gap

  • Engage in regular, open communication with employees to understand their wellbeing.

  • Align organizational practices with the wellbeing initiatives promoted by management to reduce burnout in employees.

Foster Hybrid Work Models

  • Create a flexible hybrid work policy that meets the needs of both the organization and employees.

  • Encourage team collaboration and reduce the emphasis on FaceTime, a key factor in preventing burnout among employees.

Combat Loneliness

  • Facilitate social interactions and team-building activities.

  • Encourage employees to engage in their third places and maintain a healthy social life, thereby addressing loneliness and burnout in employees.


Workplace Burnout

Why is Time Management Important in the Workplace?

Effective time management is crucial in reducing employee burnout. Implementing efficient time management tools for work helps employees better handle their workload and prevent burnout. It's also essential to recognize when your workload is at capacity and to say no without feeling guilty. For more on this topic, check out our article on saying no when your load is already at capacity.


Overcoming Burnout for a Better Workplace

Burnout remains a critical issue in today's workplace, but with awareness and strategic changes, it can be effectively managed. If you are struggling with burnout, consider booking a consultation with me. Together, we can develop a tailored plan to help you overcome burnout and thrive in your career. Employers must prioritize this issue to create healthier, more productive work environments. For more on why employers need to focus on workplace burnout, visit the American Psychological Association's article on workplace burnout.



Subscribe to my email newsletter, "Billable-Hour Burnout", designed specifically for women in accounting, law, and consulting. If you're ready to take the next step towards less stress and more confidence, this is your go-to resource. Subscribe today.


 

What You'll Learn from this Episode:

  • Importance of Addressing Burnout

  • Tactical Advice for Achieving Career Goals and a Balanced Life

  • Importance of Awareness in Recognizing and Addressing Burnout

  • State of Burnout Survey

  • Better Work Strategies

  • Statistics and Findings for Workplace Burnout


Watch the Full Episode:


Full Episode Transcript:


Hello and welcome. It's Thursday. If this is your first episode or if you're joining me for the 10th episode, I'm happy to be here with you today.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and we are in the final week. I wanted to share a survey on the state of workplace burnout. Shout out to Infinite Potential, Sally Clark, and her team for their help. We need each other because many of us are experiencing burnout. The costs of presenteeism and absenteeism are over $300 million wasted every year due to stress. I believe that number is higher.

Before we get into today's survey, welcome to today's episode. If you need tactical advice to achieve the career of your dreams, you're in the right place. If you want to enjoy the life you spent decades building, you're in the right place. If you're here today, it means you're ready for more workplace balance, ease, confidence, and better ways to manage your time and stress without quitting your job.

I'm Lauren Baptiste, a former big four auditor turned regulatory tax compliance officer turned burnout coach. You're listening to my weekly podcast, "Billable-Hour Burnout", where I share simple tactics and mindset strategies for accountants, attorneys, and consultants.

It's April 25th, and the year is flying by. We're almost a third into the year. April is National Stress Awareness Month, and as it ends, National Mental Health Awareness Month is approaching. With awareness comes opportunity. If we don't know we're burnt out, we keep working, thinking this is normal. If we don't change how we show up at work, it's no wonder we're overwhelmed and unhappy despite traditional success.

April has been busy. It's my birthday month, and I usually like to enjoy it, but it has been a mix of aging and growing in my CEO capacity. I've questioned how I spend my time and how I show up, aiming for more ease. Maybe you're going through a growth period too. There's room for growth for all of us.

Let's dive into today's survey. The state of burnout report came out this year, based on data from the prior year. It matches what I'm seeing in my work with women in accounting, consulting, and law. The general population and billable hour professionals often face longer hours, more demands, complexity, and stress. When you hear this study, think about how it applies to you and what you can do about it. We often walk a thin line between working hard and being overwhelmed, leading to diminishing returns on our careers, relationships, and health.

The main message is that the way we work is no longer working. The workplace landscape has shifted from five days a week in the office to hybrid or remote work. Teaming and the way we work have changed. We're using more technology like AI and working flexible hours. Despite these changes, burnout is still happening, meaning we need better ways to work. Chronic workplace stress has become a common narrative. In 2018-2019, hashtag burnout referred to motorcycle drivers. Now it's used by celebrities, Olympians, and musicians. Burnout symptoms include cynicism, detachment, exhaustion, and ineffectiveness.

If you rate yourself as a 3, 4, or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 for burnout symptoms, we need to address it. Chronic stress, burnout, and chronic burnout need to be taken seriously, or they will continue to worsen.

Work is not working, and burnout is prevalent. What do we do? Most of my clients are leaders balancing burnout for themselves and their teams. Let's look at the stats and findings:

Burnout Rates Plateauing: Burnout is at 38%, the same as the prior year. It was in the seventies during the pandemic and has come down. However, 38-40% is still a problem for productivity and happiness. Workplace happiness is at a four-year low. We need solutions to equip our people to navigate, overcome, and prevent burnout in the long run.

Gender Disparity in Burnout: Women experience burnout at 42%, men at 30%. Women often bear more responsibilities at home while advancing in their careers. Women are breadwinners more than ever, but it's a lot to balance. Women in male-dominated professions like accounting, consulting, and law face additional challenges.

Perception Gap on Employee Wellbeing: Companies often brand themselves as caring for their people, but there's a gap between this message and day-to-day reality. Managers think wellbeing is stable or improving, while employees say it's worse than 12 months ago. This gap needs bridging.

Impact of Shorter Work Weeks: Shorter work weeks are more effective. Employees working less than 40 hours show higher engagement, wellbeing, and lower burnout rates. In small practices, bringing on additional help can make a big difference. Value-based fees versus hourly fees in accounting can also reduce stress.

Hybrid Work for Wellbeing and Quality: Hybrid work (2-3 days a week in the office) leads to the highest levels of wellbeing and quality of work. It's important to find the right balance for your team. Hybrid work allows for effective collaboration and focused work at home.

Burnout and Loneliness: Burnout can lead to loneliness, with those experiencing burnout twice as likely to feel lonely. Remote work and lack of social interaction contribute to this. We need to create connections and address loneliness.

We need to be aware that workplace burnout isn't going away. Women experience it more than men, and hybrid work is a potential solution. Connection is key in professions like accounting, consulting, and law. Effective connection with clients and colleagues is valuable, but it starts with awareness.

If you're experiencing burnout and haven't solved it, book a consultation with me. Burnout is not a DIY thing; you need guidance to overcome it. Now is the perfect time to get started, as busy seasons end and summer approaches. Solving burnout solves other issues too. Click the link to book a consultation, and join my newsletter for tips, tricks, and updates.

Thank you for listening. Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. Let your team, boss, and CEO know about this study. Together, we can improve our day-to-day work life.

For more information, visit Acheloa Wellness. Thank you for joining. See you next week on Billable-Hour Burnout. Take care.

Billable-Hour Burnout Newsletter

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