Remote work rapidly became popular in the last year due to the pandemic and for some it brought flexibility and convenience. However, for many, remote working has been stressful.
Work from home burnout is one of the many challenges caused by the pandemic. For the sake of their workforce’s wellbeing and the success of their business, employers must work to resolve and find ways to prevent burnout among remote staff.
What is burnout and why does it happen during remote work?
Burnout is exhaustion caused by stress or an unmanageable pace at work. During remote work, this may happen due to a lack of separation between work and personal time, increased pressure from having to take care of children or other dependants while working or from having an isolated work environment.
What might be causing work from home burnout?
Some people rely on having a physical workplace and personal interactions daily to stay focused and motivated at work. Constantly being at home alone when working can lead to decreased engagement, difficulty concentrating and feelings of isolation.
On the other hand, those who are not home alone may have difficulties balancing their work and family responsibilities. Workers who have dependents to take care of during work hours might end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Those who have roommates or a large family might struggle from not having time or a quiet place to work efficiently.
The changes brought on by remote work arrangements and the continuation of the pandemic might also be affecting workers’ lifestyle and habits, such as eating well, getting rest, getting fresh air and exercising. This in turn can affect their mental health and physical well-being and contribute to burnout.
Identifying work from home burnout
Managers can identify work from home burnout by looking for changes in worker’s performance such as reduced productivity, forgetfulness, losing track of tasks and changes in mood such as irritability or indifference. The best way to identify work from home burnout is to regularly check in with workers, ask about their work experience and whether they need additional support or accommodation.
Burnout is often chronic
While taking time off can give workers a break and a chance to recharge, it isn’t always the solution to burnout. Burnout is often chronic and caused by working conditions. Without making changes to how they work, workers are likely to fall into the same patterns and get burned out again.
Making an effort to disconnect
For some, the solution might be as simple as disconnecting outside of work hours. Managers should stress that workers stick to their pre-pandemic work routine even if they are working from home. Those who are tempted to check emails and reply to messages outside of work hours can be advised to mute their notifications during off hours. It is important to draw and honour the boundaries between work and personal life to avoid work from home burnout.
Improving engagement and motivation
The pandemic may seem like it is never-ending and cause some workers to feel like they are stuck in a rut. This can lead to apathy, disillusionment with their position, and a lack of motivation to get work done.
Management can support workers feeling this way by reengaging them with their work. This could be a conversation about the future about their career and setting new goals and objectives for them to work toward. Giving workers new tasks to replace old ones can also increase interest and give them a sense of progress.
Maintaining work relationships and a sense of community
A good working environment and relationship with colleagues is one of the most important aspects in work satisfaction. Dealing with problems alone can heighten workers’ feelings of isolation, heighten stress and contribute to burnout.
Staying connected virtually or in a socially distanced environment outdoors when this is allowed can be very meaningful to some workers.
- Article by Peninsula Group HR
