Looking for a way to boost productivity in your business without causing burnout? We’ve got a guide for you.

In recent years, it’s increasingly more common to hear people complain of being chronically tired at work: burned out. A study conducted by the American Institute of Stress revealed that more than half of employees suffer from stress-related illnesses because of their jobs. 

Employees who are mentally refreshed, emotionally connected to their work and physically energized work harder, smarter and more effectively. If you can keep your staff engaged then they’re going to enjoy coming to work and performing for your company. 

So how can businesses start raising productivity while avoiding employee burnout? 

Check out Clubnet’s guide on some of the essential steps to apply within your business’s HR:

6 steps to start establishing a productivity culture 

Set goals and expectations.

Setting clear goals and aligning expectations is a great place to start. What does success look like for your company? What does the success of this specific employee look like in the context of your company?

Set specific and achievable goals, for example:

• “Our team will increase sales by 15% over the next six months” 
• “We want to reduce customer complaints by 20% by December 31st.” 

The second step is communicating those expectations clearly across all levels of the organization so everyone understands how they fit into the bigger picture. This is also important for creating a culture of accountability – one that values both results and process.

When it comes to setting goals and expectations for your employees, you want them to understand what is expected of them so that when they are faced with difficult situations or challenges, they know how best to handle them. 

Get employees involved and motivated

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by excessive stress over an extended period of time. It can be caused by a sense of unfulfilled responsibilities at the workplace, lack of support from colleagues or managers, etc. 

• Let them know how important their contribution is to the company’s success.

Respect the internal processes of your company and sectors, as well as the specific role and planned tasks of each employee. This way, the overload will be avoided and each employee will be fully aware of his value and impact on the whole company.

• Encourage collaboration 

Foster teamwork among employees of the same and different sectors from time to time, so they can develop relationships with each other and work together effectively as a unit rather than as individuals operating independently in their own silos.

• Recognize it is a company, and not employee issue

Burnout is often seen as an individual problem, with the responsibility for preventing or addressing it falling solely on the employee. However, research has shown that burnout is largely caused by organizational factors such as workload, lack of control, and lack of support. 

Therefore, you need to own up to it and provide associated solutions. By creating a culture that supports work-life balance, encourages employee autonomy and control, and provides resources for stress management, companies can help prevent burnout and promote employee well-being. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a more positive work environment for all employees. 

Implement systems that help employees stay productive.

• Time management systems.

One of the biggest reasons for employee burnout is feeling like there’s no time in the day to get everything done. By implementing systems that help employees manage time, you can ensure that they have a clear picture of what needs to get done and when it needs to be completed. 

Some examples of Time Management systems are:

• Getting Things Done (GTD)
• Iceberg Method
• Pomodoro technique

• Remote work systems and tools

Provide necessary tools and equipment for remote working: From a comfortable chair to an excellent webcam for calls. Consider providing them with laptops or other mobile devices so they can access all of their files wherever they are and facilitate employees doing work in their preferred modes and places

Create a positive and pleasant work environment 

• Give them control over their work environment. 

Show employees that you value their input by asking for feedback on things like office layout or new equipment purchases. Make it a possibility for each employee to have a personalized workspace with personal items and decorations.  Even better, let them work from wherever makes them most comfortable (hint, it’s likely not the office, at least not all the time)

• Create a silent and relaxing common space for breaks 

Most of the time, it’s simple to create a comfortable area in your company without having to spend money or effort to maintain it – and it can make a big difference in the sometimes stressful routine at the office.  If fully distributed, ensure that there are core hours for meeting and give sufficient time for independent, focused work.

Invest in employee development

Everyone tends to enjoy their work more when they are learning new things or improving their skills. Employees are the backbone of any company and hiring good professionals is not enough. 

They need to be trained and developed so they can operate at their full potential. If you do not invest in employee development, you might end up losing money due to poor performance or even worse, having an employee who quits just because they don’t like their job anymore

Understand that every employee has a unique personality and way of working

The key here is to approach every employee differently.

For instance, some employees will prefer face-to-face interaction while others would rather work remotely. Some need constant feedback while others thrive in the absence of any communication.

• Consider different work models

Some people are morning people, while others are night owls. 

The key here is to identify your employee’s preferences and cater to their needs accordingly. 

This will not only keep them working at high performance levels, but will also avoid burnout at the workplace!

If you give employees the opportunity to work from home or from another location at least once or twice per week, they’ll feel more valued than if they’re stuck in the same office every day.

• Communication and feedback

A person who needs regular feedback may be frustrated with an employer who doesn’t offer enough recognition or direction.

Some people enjoy small talk and socializing with coworkers over coffee, while others prefer to keep their interactions limited to email and Slack conversations.

So make sure you have multiple feedback and communication channels to meet all needs. 

Try these suggestions and you will see positive improvements in your business. A happy and productive workforce is a result of efforts – as well as balanced and positive leadership.

Check out our services on coaching and consulting for companies and prepare to apply these practical steps in your business.