What do you do if you notice signs of burnout in your colleagues?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place. If you notice signs of burnout in your colleagues, such as a drop in performance, negativity, or an increase in sick days, it's important to take action not just for their well-being but also for the health of the entire team and organization.

1 Recognize Signs

Observing changes in your colleagues' behavior and performance is the first step in addressing burnout. You might notice that a normally punctual and enthusiastic team member starts arriving late, missing deadlines, or exhibiting a cynical attitude towards work. These could be signs that they are struggling with the early stages of burnout. It's crucial to be empathetic and consider that these behaviors may be a cry for help rather than a lack of professionalism.

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Jha Arunima CIPP(E)

Specialized Counsel in TMT, IP Governance, Private Equity & M&A | Ex-BookMyShow | Expert in Commercial Law, LLM & MBA (Finance), Author & Career Counsellor. For career counselling, please book a call with me in advance.
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If you see colleagues showing burnout signs, encourage them to speak about their workload and stress levels. Offer support by sharing strategies that work for you or helping to redistribute tasks if possible. Suggest they talk to HR about workplace resources or consider professional support if needed.

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2 Start a Dialogue

Once you've recognized potential burnout signs, the next step is to initiate a supportive conversation. Approach your colleague with care and concern, ensuring the discussion is private and non-confrontational. Encourage them to share their feelings and experiences. Remember, the goal is not to solve their problems immediately but to show that you're there to support them and to listen.

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3 Offer Support

After opening the lines of communication, offer practical support. This could involve helping to prioritize their workload, suggesting they speak with a manager about their concerns, or simply being there as a sounding board for their frustrations. It's important to remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that burnout is a common issue that can be overcome with the right support.

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Janelle Nickolay

HR Consultant | Simplifying People Management for Businesses | Helping Teams Thrive Through Effective HR Strategies | Creating Stronger Workplaces Through Tailored HR Support
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Take the time to check in with them, express your concern, and listen attentively to their experiences and challenges. Offer practical support, such as helping to lighten their workload, providing resources for stress management or mental health support, and encouraging them to take breaks and prioritize self-care. Additionally, consider fostering a supportive work environment where colleagues feel comfortable discussing their struggles openly and seeking assistance without fear of judgment.

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4 Encourage Balance

Encouraging a healthy work-life balance is essential in preventing and dealing with burnout. Suggest that your colleague takes regular breaks during the day, engages in activities outside of work that they enjoy, and disconnects from work-related communications after hours. Reinforcing the importance of personal time can help them recharge and reduce overall stress.

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5 Involve Management

If burnout seems to be an ongoing issue, it might be necessary to involve management. Encourage your colleague to speak with their supervisor about their workload and stress levels. As employee relations are key to any organization's success, most managers are willing to find ways to help their team members, whether through delegating tasks, providing resources for stress management, or offering flexible work options.

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6 Promote Resources

Lastly, make sure your colleague is aware of any workplace resources available to them for managing stress and burnout. Many organizations have employee assistance programs (EAPs), wellness initiatives, or mental health resources. Promoting these resources can empower your colleague to take proactive steps towards their well-being and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Vishnu Sharma

Talent Strategy & Solutions - Human Resource@IBM Consulting, SHRM-SCP , SPHRi
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Time to show up for your colleagues- Talk to them heart out and encourage to speak about their challenges. Let them know of the help available. offer your help as well if you can. Share your own experience if you have had likewise situations- how you overcame those If you find them still struggling or unable to seek help be an upstander- reach out to your manager/HR/concerned team and let them know of your observations with intent of help PS: We spend at least 8-9 hours at work with colleagues as an extended family. helping each other in need goes long way and people remember this. it may come back to you multi-fold, when you really need it most!!

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What do you do if you notice signs of burnout in your colleagues?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Recognize Signs

2 Start a Dialogue

3 Offer Support

4 Encourage Balance

5 Involve Management

6 Promote Resources

7 Here’s what else to consider

Employee Relations

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What do you do if you notice signs of burnout in your colleagues?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Recognize Signs

2 Start a Dialogue

3 Offer Support

4 Encourage Balance

5 Involve Management

6 Promote Resources

7 Here’s what else to consider

Employee Relations

Rate this article

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