The Employer's Guide to Combating Burnout
As we get closer to Christmas, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of performance reviews, festive season prep, and year-end deadlines. But here’s the thing - pushing through without balancing wellness can lead to burnout, stress, and missed opportunities. Managers and team leaders need to set the tone by blending self-care with productivity to finish the year strong. The great news? You don’t have to choose one over the other. By focusing on wellness, year-end reviews, and festive season planning, you can set yourself and your team up for success.
New mental health research from Deloitte has revealed poor mental health costs UK employers £51 billion a year for employees. This year’s report also explored the impact of children’s poor mental health on working parents for the first time. According to the survey, 46% of working parents are concerned about their children’s mental health. Half of those who are concerned about their children’s mental health say it impacts their performance at work. Employers need concrete evidence to make informed decisions about how to invest in workplace mental health programmes and maximise benefits, including financial returns.
Here are our top three focus areas that will help you and your team thrive through November and beyond…
1. Prioritising Wellness and Self-Care in the Workplace
Self-care in the workplace isn’t just about yoga breaks or meditation apps—it’s about creating a culture where mental health and well-being are central to productivity. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), stress-related conditions are the leading cause of absenteeism globally. If your team is stressed and burnt out, productivity plummets. So, what’s the solution?
Self-Care at Work: Encourage employees to take regular breaks, whether it’s a 5-minute stretch or a full lunch break away from the desk. Create an environment where mindfulness is welcomed, not an afterthought. Simple practices like deep breathing exercises or even short walks during the day can make a world of difference in reducing stress.
Managing Stress: Consider providing resources that can help employees manage their stress, such as access to wellness apps or virtual workshops on mental health. Headspace for Work or Calm Business are great examples. Hosting a stress management workshop or sharing quick tips during team meetings can shift the narrative from “work harder” to “work smarter, healthier, and happier.”
📖 Journal Prompt: What’s one small change I can make to manage my stress better this month?
Work-Life Balance: Flexibility is key. Many employees are juggling year-end responsibilities at work and prepping for the festive season at home. Offering flexible hours, remote working options, or simply acknowledging the balancing act can make employees feel more supported and motivated to finish strong.
Read: Why It’s Important to Support Working Parents and How to Do It Fairly
2. Preparing for Year-End Performance Reviews
Year-end reviews aren’t just about ticking boxes—they’re a golden opportunity to reflect on the past year’s achievements and set a clear path forward for growth and success. Done right, these reviews can be incredibly motivating, but get them wrong, and you risk demotivating your team. So, how do you ensure your reviews hit the mark?
Effective Reviews: Performance reviews should be fair, constructive, and future-focused. Provide feedback that highlights both strengths and areas for growth. Skip the generic feedback and instead tailor your insights to each individual. When employees feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated.
Recognise Success: Year-end reviews are an excellent time to celebrate wins—big or small. Don’t just focus on what could have gone better. By recognising achievements, you reinforce a positive mindset and motivate your team to continue their progress into the next year. According to Gallup, 67% of employees whose achievements were celebrated at work reported feeling more engaged.
📖 Journal Prompt: What’s one professional achievement I’m most proud of this year?
Set Goals for 2024: Rather than ending on a note of “what didn’t work,” use performance reviews to set actionable, realistic goals for the upcoming year. This forward-thinking approach gives employees a sense of purpose and direction, making the transition into the new year smoother and more motivating.
3. Planning for the Festive Season
Christmas brings its own set of challenges—deadlines, disrupted routines, and juggling personal commitments can make November and December chaotic, especially for working parents. However, with a little planning, you can help your team navigate this period without feeling overwhelmed.
Managing Workload: Encourage your team to plan ahead and break tasks into manageable chunks. Balancing year-end tasks with holiday schedules can be tricky, but by focusing on priority projects and pushing non-urgent work to the new year, you can reduce stress and keep productivity high.
Festive Wellbeing: The festive season should be enjoyable, not just for your employees’ personal lives, but in the workplace too. Create a sense of flexibility and offer support during this busy period. Recognise that employees might need extra time or space to manage personal and work commitments. A simple “How are you managing?” check-in can go a long way.
📖 Journal Prompt: How can I balance my workload and personal commitments during the festive season?
Team Engagement: The holidays offer a unique chance to boost morale and strengthen team connections. Organise low-pressure, festive activities - whether it’s scrapping Secret Santa or having a casual team lunch before/after December might allow employees to relax and bond with one another. This is an ideal way to wrap up the year on a positive, engaged note.
Read: 8 Things Managers Can Do to Maximise Productivity
Wrapping Up November: The Key to Success
The end of the year can feel overwhelming, but by prioritising wellness, conducting meaningful year-end performance reviews, and managing festive season stress, you can keep your team motivated, productive, and happy. Encourage self-care, celebrate wins, and plan ahead—these simple steps will make all the difference as you wrap up 2023 and set the stage for a successful new year.
📖 Final Journal Prompt: How can I support both my personal wellness and professional goals to end 2024 on a high?