Work Overload In The Workplace And Internal Communication

A 2020 survey from Spring Health identified that 76% of American workers have experienced burnout.

It’s important for company leaders to understand the prevalence of burnout in the modern workplace, and what steps can be taken to remedy the situation. This includes understanding employee burnout causes and cures– particularly when the cause of the burnout is work overload. Internal communication can play an important role in reducing the impacts of workplace to ensure you have happier, healthier, and more productive employees.

Table of contents

How does work overload contribute to burnout?

What does burnout cost a company?

How can internal communication improve burnout at work?

How DeskAlerts can help you to address burnout caused by high workloads

How does work overload contribute to burnout?

One of the major causes of workplace burnout is work overload. Burnout from work overload occurs when an individual is faced with excessive work demands that exceed their ability to cope or manage effectively. Work overload can be caused by various factors such as high workloads, tight deadlines, inadequate resources or support, or insufficient time to complete tasks.

People who experience work overload in the workplace can feel overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted. They may struggle to keep up with their workload and feel like they cannot meet the expectations of their job. Over time, this can lead to a state of burnout, where they feel emotionally drained, detached from their work and colleagues, and experience a decreased sense of personal accomplishment.

Burnout can also lead to a number of health risks for the person experiencing it, including:

• Mental health problems like anxiety and depression
• Chronic fatigue and insomnia
• A weakened immune system
• An increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Digestive problems
• Substance abuse and addiction.

What does burnout cost a company?

The cost of burnout for companies can also be steep. Burnout can result in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, higher turnover rates, and increased healthcare costs. Burnout can also negatively impact employee morale and motivation, which can further reduce productivity and lead to a decrease in the quality of work.

*A Gallup study found that burnout costs around $3,400 out of every $10,000 in salary paid to an employee because they have become disengaged.*

In addition, the costs associated with replacing employees who leave due to burnout can be significant. The recruitment process can be time-consuming and expensive, and the new employee may require training and onboarding, which can also be costly.

Other costs associated with burnout include an increase in errors or mistakes in work, which can result in additional costs if they need to be corrected or if they lead to legal or financial consequences. The reputation of the company may also be affected if burnout leads to a decrease in the quality of work or customer satisfaction, which can impact the company's bottom line in the long run.

How can internal communication improve burnout at work?

If you’re wondering how to help employees with burnout, don’t overlook internal communication. Internal communication has an important role to play improving burnout at work by creating a more supportive and engaging workplace environment.

1. Encourage open communication

Creating an open and honest communication culture in the workplace can help employees feel more comfortable sharing their concerns and struggles. Sometimes managers may not know that the work is piling up for some employees more than others – particularly if some staff aren’t doing as much as their colleagues are. Open communication helps to build trust and improve relationships between employees and management, reducing the feeling of isolation and disconnection that can contribute to burnout.

2. Communication can lead to support

Regular communication between managers and employees can help identify potential burnout triggers, such as workload or unrealistic expectations, and lead to avenues for the manager to provide appropriate support. This can include offering resources such as employee assistance programs or flexible work arrangements to help employees manage stress.

3. Setting realistic expectations

Communicating clear expectations for work responsibilities and deadlines can help reduce stress and burnout by providing employees with a clear understanding of what is expected of them. This can help prevent feelings of overwhelm and frustration, which can lead to burnout.

4. Recognize and reward accomplishments

Regular communication that acknowledges and rewards employee achievements can help improve morale and job satisfaction. This recognition can be in the form of public recognition, financial incentives, or increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth.

5. Building a positive workplace culture

Internal communication can help create a positive workplace culture that promotes work-life balance, employee well-being, and a sense of community. This can help reduce the feeling of isolation and disconnection that can lead to burnout.

>> Read this article to learn about positive workplace culture<<

How DeskAlerts can help you to address burnout caused by high workloads

Quite often in workplaces, internal communication can be difficult. There are many reasons for this, including poor workplace cultures, information silos developing where people don’t share information freely, competing demands for employee attention, or simply not using the right tools to ensure that information is distributed effectively. When you take steps to address employee burnout, don’t forget to proactively improve your internal communications.

DeskAlerts is an internal communications software system that improves communications in workplaces and enhances workplace culture while reducing workplace overload.

The system uses innovative digital communications channels to cut through all the other digital “noise” in the workplace and communicate with employees via their computers or mobile apps. This includes sending pop-up notifications, scrolling desktop tickers, corporate screensavers and wallpapers, digital signage displays, surveys polls, and quizzes.

Messages can be sent quickly and easily to thousands of users in just a matter of seconds. You can send to the entire organization at once or to tailored, custom audience segments.

Some employee burnout solutions delivered via DeskAlerts include:

• Create eye-catching visuals promoting your wellness programs: screensavers, corporate wallpaper, and digital signage can be used as part of internal marketing campaigns to promote corporate wellness programs and ensure that people know about them.

More on the topic: Improve Employee Motivation With Digital Signage

• Remind people to take regular breaks: send pop-up alerts or screensavers that remind people about the importance of taking breaks.
• Send pulse surveys: you can send surveys to employees to find out how they are feeling or ask them about their workloads and get results in real-time so you can take steps quickly to solve the situation.
• Keeping remote and non-desk workers engaged: people don’t always work in the same location as their manager and can feel isolated with the DeskAlerts mobile app, it's easy to keep people engaged and informed no matter where they are working.
• Reduce the number of internal emails that are sent: information overload can contribute to workplace burnout. When you use DeskAlerts you can significantly decrease the number of emails send within your organization.

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Internal communication can help to prevent and mitigate burnout in the workplace. Effective communication can help to foster a positive work environment, promote work-life balance, and provide employees with the support and resources they need to manage stress and avoid burnout. By prioritizing internal communication, organizations can create a healthier and more productive workplace culture.

FAQs

How does work-life balance relate to burnout?

Maintaining work-life balance is crucial in preventing burnout in the workplace. Employees who feel overwhelmed and overworked with little time for personal activities or relationships are prone to high levels of stress and exhaustion. Organizations can promote ways to balance work and personal life to help employees regain control over their lives and reduce burnout risk. Implementing measures such as flexible scheduling, remote work options, encouraging breaks and prioritizing self-care can show employees how to maintain a work life balance while working effectively.

Why is communication important in work-life balance?

Effective communication is crucial in achieving a healthy work-life and personal-life balance for employees. When communication channels are open and transparent, employees are more likely to feel supported and empowered to prioritize their personal lives alongside their work responsibilities. Regular communication can set expectations and boundaries, clarify priorities, and identify potential sources of stress or burnout. It also allows employees to communicate their needs and concerns to their managers, who can then provide the necessary resources to promote and support work-life balance management.

What are the benefits of avoiding burnout?

For companies, there are many benefits of avoiding employee burnout, including:

• Increased job satisfaction and productivity
• Reduced stress and anxiety levels
• Improved physical and mental health
• Better work-life balance
• Lower absenteeism and turnover rates
• Enhanced creativity and innovation
• Positive impact on personal relationships and overall well-being.

Why communication in the workplace is more important than ever?

Given the fast-paced and dynamic nature of modern workplaces, effective communication has become a critical factor for success. With the prevalence of remote work, diverse teams, and constantly evolving technologies, it is essential to establish clear and consistent communication channels to foster trust, promote collaboration, and achieve shared goals. Strong communication practices can facilitate the breakdown of organizational barriers, encourage inclusivity, and ensure that everyone is aligned towards the same objectives, irrespective of their location or role.