Burnout continues to be a pervasive issue affecting workplace mental health, with many employees finding it difficult to effectively manage the various pressures they face professionally and personally.
The day-to-day demands of the workplace – long hours, being on-call for emails and messages outside work hours, the shifts in energy required by hybrid working, a lack of work-life balance – can mingle with personal life pressures and multiple responsibilities. The mental health legacy of the pandemic, ongoing financial issues as well as the prevalence of global strife add another layer of pressure, and the toll on employee mental health is evidenced in the rise in burnout cases.
Workplace counselling has emerged as an invaluable tool in supporting employees and empowering them to develop resilience and reduce burnout.
The Impact of Burnout on Employees
If not acknowledge and managed, burnout can quickly become overwhelming, with employees experiencing debilitating fatigue, sleep issues, lethargy and stress-ailments like headaches or gastrointestinal issues. Burnout causes heightened levels of stress, anxiety, detachment and even a pervasive sense of failure, meaning those suffering may struggle with concentration, memory, and decision-making, making it difficult to perform effectively at work.
Burnout also takes a heavy toll on employees’ personal lives. The emotional drain from work often spills over into time away from work, leading to personal issues that then, in a vicious circle, add to the strains of employment, entrenching the burnout cycle.
The cumulative effects of burnout can lead to a significant decline in job performance. Employees may become less productive, make more mistakes, be absent more regularly and miss deadlines. This impacts both the individual and the organisation, leading to decreased overall productivity and morale.
The Role of Specialist Workplace Counselling
Burnout is unlikely to resolve itself due to the ongoing nature of many of the pressures that feed it. Overcoming burnout requires action, but for those experiencing burnout such action can seem daunting and requires external support. Workplace counselling provides this support, giving employees a confidential space to explore their feelings, understand the causes of their stress, and develop strategies to cope more effectively.
Our broad approach to challenges through our workplace counselling means that smaller issues can be dealt with before they develop into crises. It means bigger problems get the timely support required to help people overcome them. It increases people’s ability to engage in the workplace, to perform, whilst also receiving much needed support. Our counselling also focuses on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses.
One Hour Lunch & Learn Workshop – “Overcoming Burnout”
Another option for organisations looking to support employees facing burnout is to offer our “Overcoming Burnout” workshop. This accessible and interactive session provides an overview of the condition, the underlying causes, signs and symptoms, and focuses primarily on a range of practical, evidence-based solutions to reduce the symptoms of burnout. For employees interested in the subject or looking for guidance on their own experience of burnout, this is the perfect introduction. It may be the guide they need to self-support and build resilience, or it can act as a stepping stone to further professional support through counselling.
The session utilises an interactive quiz to identify symptoms and severity of burnout, before explaining how burnout impacts our neurotransmitter function and our behaviour. It also looks at practical tips and solutions for regaining energy and motivation such as setting work/life boundaries, boosting your energy and motivation, how to stimulate your brain connection and reducing negative thinking patterns and offers support for the individual and the organisation.
Fostering a Supportive Work Environment
Beyond individual support, offering workplace counselling and wellbeing workshops contributes to a broader culture of care within organisations. When employees see that their mental health is valued and supported, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated. Organisations that offer counselling services are making a clear statement about their commitment to employee wellbeing. This can enhance job satisfaction and loyalty, reduce turnover, and attract new talent, all of which contribute to a more robust and resilient workforce.
Specialist Employee Counselling for Burnout is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations. You may find it useful to introduce regular employee counselling sessions for employees, each led by a multi-qualified specialist. Alternatively urgent employee mental health sessions can be booked on a case-by-case basis, providing a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to the more familiar EAP approach.
If you would like more information on our Counselling Service for Burnout, or our one our Lunch & Learn Workshop “Overcoming Burnout” please complete the form below: