Coronavirus 2020: Supporting Employees During COVID-19

Coronavirus 2020: supporting employees during COVID-19. Employees are stressed out, disengaged and it’s hard to maintain productivity amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Employees are less engaged, less productive and less positive about their careers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey by Eagle Hill Consulting.

More than 40 percent of workers are experiencing burnout, a term used to describe prolonged and intense stress, and over 35 percent of employees don’t think their organization is doing anything to help.

It’s up to employers to re-engage workers and reduce employee burnout, but it won’t be easy. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), more than 60 percent of employers have had a difficult time maintaining employee morale during the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus 2020: Supporting Employees During COVID-19 Pandemic

How to Tell If an Employee Is at Risk of Burnout

When evaluating employees for risk of burnout look for the most common symptoms:

Exhaustion
Frustration
Forgetfulness
Anxiety
Inability to keep up with daily tasks

Parents are particularly at risk of burnout during the coronavirus pandemic. Sixty percent of working mothers and fathers already experience burnout. School closings due to COVID-19 have many parents juggling roles as workers, teachers and caregivers all at the same time, heightening their risk of burning out.

What’s Causing Employee Burnout?

Workers responding to a survey by Eagle Hill Consulting said these are the things that are making them feel burnt out:

Workload
Lack of work-life balance
Lack of communication, feedback and support
Time pressures
Performance expectations

Flexibility is critical in a crisis. Monitor workloads, consider extensions and check-in on employees frequently to limit burnout and boost morale during the coronavirus pandemic.

How Employers Are Battling Burnout

These are the most common ways employers are managing burnout during the coronavirus pandemic according to Eagle Hill Consulting:

34 percent of organizations are increasing flexibility
26 percent are improving communication
20 percent are providing mental and physical wellness resources
19 percent are changing goals and targets based on the situation today
18 percent are making workloads more manageable

Most organizations have had to make some changes to continue operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Employers who are flexible, communicative and understanding of the challenges employees are facing can limit burnout and maintain a positive work environment.