Ways to keep employee burnout at bay

Burnout is a silent startup killer, and it is more common than you think. As an entrepreneur, you will want and need to push your employees to perform at their best so your small business will have a shot at success. Unfortunately, that push coupled with the inherent stress involved in being in a company that is new and/or has an uncertain future can quicken the onset of burnout. Furthermore, it can and will make the symptoms of burnout potentially damaging to your employees not just during their tenure at your company, but for the rest of their lives as well as that of your business. 

It is your responsibility to help manage burnout in whatever way you can, both for your business's sake, and that of your employees. Fortunately, there is much you can do. Here are seven ways you can keep burnout at bay as an entrepreneur:

Offer Direct Aid 

The best way to help your employees is to use your startup to offer them direct aid. Wellness programs, no matter how small, can help. Making counseling accessible and affordable by make deals with companies can help give employees an outlet to handle their stress. If you don't have the money, you can create support groups for people who want to quit. Quitting smoking is a lot easier when you have a group holding you accountable. You can even make deals with gyms to give your employees discounts so you can encourage employees to improve their physical health.

It is important to remember that you merely offering them aid by making healthy options more accessible. Forcing them to participate in those programs will likely have the opposite effect and can push them away from your company, costing you a valuable employee. Extend your hand, but do not force them to take it.

Walk and Talk 

Meetings are notorious for being emotionally, intellectually, and physically stressful events. Even the most dedicated workers will find it difficult to sit and listen for extended periods. While you likely cannot do anything about the first two, you can at least ensure that meetings do not punish your workers physically.

Having meetings wherein you walk while you talk are a fantastic option. Doing so has numerous benefits, including changes in scenery, which can help creativity. If you have remote workers attending, allow them to do the same from wherever they are, or to at least choose their physical location when they join.

Give Ample Vacation Time - And Let Employees Use It 

If you want to help employees keep burnout at bay, you will want to give them as much vacation time as possible. Working at a startup is inherently stressful, from the uncertainty of the company's future, to the long hours. Vacation time gives them a much needed break, allowing employees to rest and recharge. They come back energized and with fresh eyes, which will improve their productivity.

However, giving employees vacation time is only the beginning. You must also encourage them to take vacations. Regularly review which employees to see who is not taking vacation time, and encourage them to take a break. You should also reassure them that they will not be replaced and that you want them to go. Foster a company culture that embraces a healthy work-life balance and you will find employees using their off-time wisely.

Keep an Eye on Workload 

No one signs up for a startup not expecting to work hard and for long hours. For the most part, you will likely fulfil that expectation. That is what you need from your team so your small business has a chance at surviving. However, you should ensure you do not push your employees too far and cause the burnout you are trying to prevent.

Periodically check on how much work each employee has been assigned and ensure that no one I overloaded. You should also check the kind of work assigned to them, as tasks are not created equal. For example, employees coming back from travel or departments dealing with new members should be given room to breathe as they will likely be under a tremendous amount of stress.

Get Training for Yourself and Your Managers 

You and your managers are the biggest factor in preventing and handling burnout in your employees. How you handle them has a direct impact on not just an employee's stress levels, but their engagement, and ultimately whether or not they choose to stay at the company. That is why training is critical for both you and whoever you choose for a management position.

Leading people is a skill that needs to be honed. You need training in not just management, but in coaching and developing employees and their skills. That same training will teach you how to use management tools, which will help you and your team monitor performance.

Allow Flexible Work Options 

Your employees have a life outside the office, and each of those lives is unique. They have their own struggles, issues, and responsibilities to fulfil. That is why no single schedule will work well for everyone. The good news is you do not have to stick to a single schedule - you can offer flexible work options.

For example, employees who live far away from the office can opt to work remotely. Others may need flexible hours to fit their schedule. To your startup, it does not matter where or when your employees work - what is important is their productivity and output, both of which will be improved dramatically if you give your team more control over their lives.

Be a Good Example 

If you want your team to take care of themselves, the most effective move you can make is to lead the charge. Be a good example to them and take care of yourself. Take advantage of your vacation days. Work remotely when feasible and keep your workload reasonable. Do that, and your employees will take note.

Those are far from the only ways you can help mitigate burnout in your startup, but they should give you a good foundation to work with. If you're having trouble figuring out how to further aid your team, think about the stress they are under and think about how you can alleviate it.  It can be difficult, but if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur that is what you need to do.