Imagine walking into an office where workers are doing their work on autopilot and without emotion. They then return home to sleep a few hours. Imagine a world devoid of creativity and where personal relationships are harder to maintain. Gallup says that workplace burnout is on the rise, with 65% of workers experiencing it. As talent acquisition professionals, HR leaders (or advocate for employer brands), we can no longer ignore this. Burnout is not the only problem that is affecting US workers. They are also losing their creativity, joie de vivre, and mojo.
How can we as leaders change this? We can use technology to address the root cause of burnout, rather than just the symptoms.
Burnout is more than just a result of work overload
Imagine a high-performing employee with innovative ideas, sitting blankly in his cubicle and staring at his computer screen covered with work. Burnout isn’t just because you worked yourself to death. It is a traumatic experience that strains your emotional health. Burnout is caused by an expectation that exceeds a limit, and a loss of control. A 2021 Deloitte study found that 77% of employees have experienced burnout at their current job, and many believe employers aren’t doing enough. What is the cost? Increased turnover, decreased productivity and low employee engagement.
It isn’t perks, employee-engagement programs, or Band Aid solutions that need to be fixed, but rather how we work. Here are five innovative and creative approaches to combating burnout and re-energizing your workforce.
1. Digital Detox Periods
Imagine a day without checking email, Slack or your project management tool. Imagine how much more headspace your employees would have if they were to go on a formal “digital detox.”
Asana, for example, has “No Meeting Wednesdays” which are meant to help with deep focus. The employees are no longer working in “neck-deep waters,” and can now focus on strategic tasks rather than juggling five directions at the same time. Shopify realized the benefits of digital detoxes, and eliminated 322,000 hours of meeting. This is equivalent to hiring 150 new employees.
2. Try a four-day backend to experiment with workweek flexibility
Flexible hours are the answer, but what about reworking our entire workweek as well? 4-Day Workweek will not go away and will change everything. Microsoft Japan and Buffer, for instance, implemented 4-day weeks that resulted in an increase of 40% in productivity and a reduction of stress among employees. By giving employees a three-day weekend, employers give them the chance to feel refreshed, energized and creative.
3. AI for Employee Wellness
AI can improve employee health and well-being. AI platforms can be used to identify burnout risk and provide customized wellness under corporate control. Leena AI, Welltok and other tools use machine learning to detect behavior data in order to provide wellness resources tips before burnout happens.
Some of these tips include pausing or meditation. They could also be advice on how HR can support at-risk employees with a scientific mental health system.
A case in point is the ability to preemptively intervene early with real-time data on stress and burnout. For example, a multinational company that used AI-powered wellness software reported a 35% decrease in burnout, while improving job satisfaction.
4. Gamify Health Challenges
Imagine teams that are not only healthy, but also competitive with each other to improve. Gamification of wellness programs, such as mindfulness, fitness challenges and other activities, has become a norm. SaaS tools such as Virgin Pulse or MoveSpring can be used by companies to launch weekly challenges that include leaderboards, rewards and recognition.
5. AI-Powered Personal Career Development Plans
Burnout can be caused by feeling trapped. Employees may want to climb the ladder, but they are unsure of how. Pymetrics, Gloat and other companies invest in AI to develop a customized career path that is centered on the strengths and preferences of their employees. Growth plans, mentoring, and guided learning pathways will help them become more enthusiastic about their work, because burnout is correlated with stagnation.
Burnout Prevention: What’s Next?
Burnout can be overcome. Innovations such as the digital detox period, AI-powered platforms for wellness, gamified challenges in health, and customized career development plans can be used to empower a resilient and thriving workforce.
As HR leaders, talent acquisition experts, and employer branding advocates, it is our job to make sure that our organizations do not just become places where work takes place, but also places where people can live their best lives at work. We are responsible for stopping this burnout epidemic. If we can maintain balance in our own lives, we can show others how to do the same.
Kelly Meerbott, a TEDx speaker, author and podcast host who has won numerous awards, is a certified leadership coach. Kelly Meerbott has changed the landscape of leadership for senior military officers, executives and C-suite members with her trauma-informed training and unique approach. Her strategies have helped 90% of clients to overcome burnout and become more resilient. They also achieve their goals. Kelly’s burnout insights are included in her bestseller From Burnout To Bliss, and her latest book Meerbott’s Fables.
