82% of Leaders Are Overworked and This Is Preventing Them From Building Team Relationships

Across the globe, leaders in the workplace are overworked. If you are a manager or CEO feeling mentally or physically tired, then you may be suffering from burnout as a result.

A recent study has found that around 82% of employees are overworked and at risk of burnout, including many in positions of leadership. The survey included respondents from businesses across Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Germany. Many of those at risk believed that 43% of their workload was still given up to manual, repetitive tasks.

Who suffers from workplace burnout?

Generally, climbing that company ladder brings more emails, more calls, more chaos and little respite. Around 1 in 5 managers works 60 hours a week. A further 53% of managers are fed up with their work, and 0% of teams are happy with this situation.

This is not just an isolated pattern either. Further studies across different sectors and geographical locations also point to a similar theme. A recent study in Forbes found that 80% of US workers are at risk of overwork and, as a result, burnout. This arises from a multitude of factors, with financial strain and exhaustion accompanying excessive workloads.

Another survey in New Zealand has even cited that the cause of this is that many managers are accidental. This means they have risen through the ranks but been promoted to management with very little training. This has made them unequipped to handle the situations the position has thrown at them.

Dealing with workplace burnout

As a manager, there are certain steps that can be put in place to combat the possibility of burnout for yourself and your employees. Making sure an adequate work-life balance is achieved is essential. Time off tracking software from Factorial is one solution. This can help map time and attendance, making sure your employees have time off at regular intervals across the year. Its streamlined process also minimises other repetitive tasks such as payroll and finance. This lets you focus on people, not paperwork.

Aside from giving people time away from work, try to think about the culture within the workplace. Is it a good place to work? If employees are consistently in conflict, then find a reason for this and create a way to resolve it. Make sure people have clear goals and aspirations within the job. This can facilitate a change in workplace culture.

You may even be suffering from the signs of burnout without even knowing it. Generally, it begins with a questioning of your occupation. You may find you begin to wonder why you do it, and find it hard to get motivated. This can manifest as a lack of energy, focus and care about the occupation.

It can even become a physical issue. You may have turned to a poor diet or alcohol to offset this. Sleep habits can change, and you may get ill more frequently with headaches and gastrointestinal issues.

In some cases, burnout may not be fixable unless you change your position. It may require a move to a different company or a total change in your occupation. However, this will be a last resort for many people, and burnout can be easily fixed with some changes.

Possible causes of workplace burnout

Burnout is characterised by an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair. It can happen in many situations, but it usually stems from an occupation. This physical and emotional fatigue can manifest in various ways, and while it isn’t a specific medical term, the belief is that it is a form of depression. However, the two can be quite different in many ways.

Burnout at work can stem from a range of factors, with overworking being a common cause. If someone can not keep up with the demands of the job or does not have enough time, then it can lead to a lack of spirit as it saps energy. However, the opposite can be true. If someone does not have enough work, they may find the job boring and begin to burn out.

A spin-off from this is a lack of work-life balance. If a person does not have downtime and see friends or family, then this can contribute. This is why tracking time off is essential.

Factors within the job can also play a huge factor. A person may not have clarity on what is expected of them, and feel they don’t have achievable goals, or any at all. This may turn into a feeling that a person has a lack of control. A leader may feel that their packed schedule just does not allow them to have control over their job. Finally, conflict in a job never helps the situation. It may be problems with employees, other managers or even shareholders and those with stakes.

Overworking employees can destroy a company from the inside. When this results in burnout, people begin to care less or just don't turn up at all. This has a knock-on impact on customer service, processes and eventually, sales. If you are suffering from burnout, try to make these changes, or as a manager, make sure you are addressing it in your own organisation.