Is Your Company A Burnout Factory? Here are 5 Ways to Check.

Have you recently found your top talent bidding farewell, citing "better opportunities" that seemed to have just materialized out of thin air? 

Or perhaps they insist they "weren't looking, but the job found them"? 

If this exodus has become a recurring theme, it's time to look closely at the signs of burnout within your company.

Your company might be a burnout factory.

What’s that?

A "burnout factory" is a workplace that overwhelms employees with too much work, too little support, and constant stress. 

This leads to exhaustion and poor well-being. It often causes high turnover and lower productivity.

Here are five key indicators to help you identify if your company might be headed down this draining path.

1. Urgency

Your team members might seem perpetually on edge, rushing from one task to the next. They're juggling multiple priorities, often sacrificing quality for speed. 

You might overhear urgent conversations, like, "We need this ASAP!" or "It's a high priority."

If you notice this regularly, then this isn't a great sign. 

Prioritize tasks and consider extending deadlines where possible.  Everything can't be a priority.

2. Limited Work-Life Balance

Your employees may need help finding time for personal pursuits. They might feel overwhelmed or mention the constant blur between work and personal life. 

You might overhear sentiments like, "I'm always on the clock," or "I rarely get a moment to recharge."

This is a chance for you to promote and respect boundaries. 

Don't email on weekends or holidays.

3. No growth

They may voice frustration about needing to be challenged or seeing a clear path to advancement.

You might hear comments like, "I feel stuck," or "There's no room to grow here." 

They feel it’s a dead-end job. What should you do?  Set clear development goals and provide stretch assignments that challenge beyond their current role. 

The most dangerous action is to ignore it. High performers don’t like to be bored.

4. Inadequate Support Systems 

Your team members might exhibit signs of stress, struggling to meet expectations due to a lack of resources or training.

They might express isolation or mention not knowing where to turn for help. 

You might hear statements like, "I'm overwhelmed," or "I don't have the tools I need."

If you notice this, here's what you can do: (1) ensure employees have access to necessary resources and training and 2) ask what they need.

5. Ignore Mental Health

Mental health might be a seldom-discussed topic, and stress levels could be normalized within your workplace. 

Your team members might exhibit signs of burnout, such as increased irritability or disengagement. 

You might hear statements like, "I'm feeling overwhelmed," or "I can't keep up with the pace."

If you notice this, here's what you can do: 1) implement mental health initiatives, such as stress management resources, and 2) talk about it. 

You may find it tricky to talk about mental health at work. 

It's not always an easy topic to bring up. You might worry about how it'll be received or if it could make things uncomfortable. 

And you're not alone; many still consider mental health a personal matter. 

But you know what? Ignoring it is worse.

Recognizing these signs is a pivotal step in preventing burnout within your team. 

To be clear, a well-balanced and supportive work environment leads to happier, more engaged employees motivated to perform at their best. 

This ultimately leads to higher profits and long-term success for the company.

So, creating a burnout-free workplace isn't just about being nice—it's a smart business move.

That's all for this week.

Always wishing you the best,

Dr. Beckford

Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

1. 1:1 Consultant and Speaking (PAID): you’ll learn self-care strategies to retain top talent and reduce employee burnout. We work together 1:1 to design a customized program for your team.

2. The podcast (free): Download to get self-care tips and learn more about the work doctors do inside and outside clinical medicine.

3. The Self-care Guide (complimentary download): A multi-step guide for you to master self-care in 30 days.