It might be time to ditch those Zoom meetings and take a vacation, Cincinnati.
While COVID-19 cases are declining in Cincinnati, burnout rates are climbing among its workers, according to a study by staffing firm Robert Half Research, conducted from March to April 2021.
Cincinnati was listed as having 50% more burnout among its workforce than it had a year ago. The Queen City tied with others such as Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle, among 28 cities surveyed.
Only Charlotte, North Carolina, and Chicago ranked higher in the study, with 55% of workforce experiencing a burnout increase. In all, 13 cities exceeded the national average of 44% rise in burnout from 2020 to 2021, which significantly exceeded the 34% rise from 2019 to 2020.
"After enduring more than a year of long hours and little time off, many workers are feeling burned out and need a break to relax and refresh," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. "Running on empty can have a negative effect on employees' mental health and well-being, and managers should make it a priority to encourage their teams to enjoy a well-deserved vacation."
The World Health Organization describes burnout as an “occupational phenomenon” consisting of declines in workplace energy, productivity and positivity caused by increased stress over time.
Among those study participants who said they were experiencing more burnout, 49% cited an expansion of responsibilities as the primary reason.
A quarter of employees gave up paid time off in 2020, according to another Robert Half Research study. Many are also facing distractions due to the merging of work and home environments.
According to Robert Half Research, one-third of Americans plan to take over three weeks of time off in 2021. However, after a year of working from home, over a quarter of workers said that they will likely find it difficult to fully disconnect from work even during their time off.
McDonald said managers can help by modeling preferred behavior during their own time off, remaining unplugging from work to the greatest extent possible.
Tips on helping staff avoid burnout
From Robert Half:
- Prioritize ruthlessly. Check in regularly with team members to discuss current projects and obstacles. Help them focus on critical business tasks, and bring in temporary professionals to assist, if possible.
- Encourage time off. Busy employees may be reluctant to take a break. Support — and model — work-life balance by reminding staff to use their vacation days and managing your own time effectively.
- Share helpful resources. Promote company-provided wellness offerings, and pass along information about free classes and programs that support a healthier lifestyle.
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