Ian Moore: Are you worried about HR burnout?

The last few years were tough for HR professionals. Ian Moore argues that the recent years have been tough on HR professionals.

98 per cent of HR professionals have already reported feeling burned out due to their extreme workload.

No secret exists that HR departments can be among the most overworked, underappreciated employees of any organization. It is difficult to manage multiple tasks and personalities while trying to enforce company rules and regulations. You and your colleagues in HR must pay close attention to both your physical and psychological wellbeing to ensure you’re at your best professionally and personally.

Burnout among HR teams can lead to an increase in turnover, reduced morale, productivity and, ultimately, a decrease in the overall performance of a business. It’s worth avoiding! Here’s how to do it.

What is burnout?

Burnout is the result of excessive and prolonged stress. Our bodies are overworked when we’re in a state of constant alert. This can eventually lead to burnout, which can be detrimental to our health.

Burnout can be caused by a number of factors, including long working hours, heavy workloads and unrealistic management expectations. Other causes include social isolation from working remotely or feeling unappreciated for your contributions. Burnout can also be caused by external forces such as financial stress or lack of job stability.

The signs of burnout

Recognizing the signs is a good first step to preventing burnout. Burnout is often characterized by feelings of frustration or overwhelm, an inability or unwillingness to concentrate, changes in mood or behavior, physical exhaustion and disengagement from colleagues. It is crucial to act quickly if you see these signs among your HR team.

The Impact of HR Burnout

HR burnout has a major impact on the organisation. It can lead to decreased productivity, higher staff turnover, lower morale, an increased risk of legal action for compliance violations, a decrease in customer service due to lacked resources and attention by HR, etc. Burnout can also have a direct effect on the individual experiencing it, as they might feel exhausted and overwhelmed by their work duties. It can also lead to physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue, which exacerbate the problem.

How you can prevent burnout for yourself or your team

There are several ways to avoid burnout at work.

Self-care is the first and foremost. It is important to take time for yourself every day in order to maintain your sanity when you are under stress.

Exercise and a healthy diet can be used to manage stress and keep energy levels high. You should also take time to indulge in hobbies and activities that bring you joy, like reading, listening to music or socialising with your friends. It is possible to avoid burnout by taking care of your mind, body and soul.

Meditation and yoga are great ways to reduce stress. They can also bring more happiness into your life.

It is important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. Take regular breaks during the day. This could be a walk around the neighborhood or chatting to colleagues about topics other than work.

You should also review your work to see what’s really important. What can you remove from your list? Does every task require you to use your expertise and specific skills or can it be delegated?

If your team is equally busy, automating tasks can help you free up time to do other things. There are tools and apps to help you with your HR duties

The larger picture

The goals that drive the workload are just as important. Be sure that your team is aware of the big picture, and has realistic goals in place with a timeline you can achieve. It is important to have a plan on how these goals will be met, and regular feedback.

If all else fails, asking for support from family, friends, or colleagues can give you the strength and comfort that you need during tough times. Self-care does not mean being selfish. It means investing in your own wellbeing. Encourage your team to be open about their emotions and ask for assistance when needed. Be sure that they have the resources, such as mental healthcare services, if necessary.

Burnout is a serious problem if left unchecked, especially in times of extreme stress such as those brought on by pandemics. You can prevent burnout in yourself and your team by being aware of the signs and using strategies like prioritising your own care, setting boundaries between home and work, automating as many tasks as possible and regularly assessing workloads to make sure you’re not doing too much. You can achieve a healthy level of stress by following these tips, and being mindful of your wellbeing in these challenging times.

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Ian Moore is the founder of Lodge Court.