In fact, of the 2,100 managers and employees interviewed by Hack Future Lab, 73 per cent described themselves as being at ‘breaking point’ and 53 per cent welcomed a “festive lockdown” to improve their overall wellbeing. But employers take action to help their teams at this time of year. Employee benefits expert Sodexo Engage shares three steps employers can take to combat Christmas burnout in the workplace:
Flexible working is undoubtedly growing in value, given that nine in 10 employees consider flexible working a key motivator to their productivity at work. The traditional nine to five model isn’t always the most convenient solution for a business or its people so this Christmas, why not trial a more flexible schedule? Not only is it a chance to review the usefulness of flexibility, but an opportunity for employers to put their people first.
Above all it can offer employees some respite from mounting pressures at home and at work. Switching to a flexitime style of work, where possible, or implementing compressed hours to allow for a longer weekend, can go a long way in helping them cope with the heightened demands of family and work life, and, in turn, help alleviate burnout.
Following a turbulent two years, the role of managers in supporting their staff has never been more important. Managers are responsible for ensuring employees have regular opportunities to voice concerns and that their team aren’t drowning under a mountain of work. As the festivities kick-off, managers must continue to check-in with employees to help them manage their workloads and also remind them of how much the team has achieved over the year.
Employees can benefit from further support offered by having an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in place which allows employees to reach out for professional support with issues including physical, mental and financial health worries. An EAP can offer external support and advice where HR may not be able to assist. Ideally, the manager should be able to identify the signs of an employee on their way to burning out and help prevent employees reaching crisis point.
With to the return of the work from home order, striking a balance between ‘on and off time’ isn’t always easy, and often contributes to the initial signs of burnout. Research from Cendex found that over half of UK employers say their staff work additional unpaid hours every day. Of this a quarter said that this was down to the pandemic and its increase in remote working, which blurred the line between work life and home life. A return to home working against the backdrop of a busy festive season, may mean many workers will struggle to switch off, and find it harder to justify taking leave amidst the Christmas rush.
Employees should be encouraged to take their annual leave, with managers at every level leading by example. Whether it entails travelling, or spending time with friends and family, employees should take a well-earned break when possible to enjoy Christmas with their loved ones.
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