How to counter employee burnout
through resilience

Learn why burnout is an issue worthy of employers’ and employees’ attention and how resilience is the answer to fighting this problem.

Icon_Stress

What is employee burnout?

Employee burnout is the feeling of mental, emotional, and possibly even physical fatigue resulting from excessive work-related stress that leads to a decline in employee performance and engagement. In the most serious cases, an employee may be unable to do their job, requiring long periods off work.

TM_Icon_Resilience_2C_RGB

What is employee resilience?

Employee resilience is an individual’s capacity to adapt positively to pressure, setbacks, challenges, and change to achieve peak performance. Resilience allows employees to face the challenges that lead to burnout head-on rather than buckling under stress.

background-why Gray gradient background

Why has burnout become worse?

In 2021, 44 percent of employees said they were more burned out than the year before, and the problem has continued to progress. The past few years have brought unique challenges and changes for many employees that can contribute to burnout. A few key stressors include:

REMOTE WORK
TECHNOLOGY
WORKLOAD
Close
Icon showing a person working on a laptop

REMOTE WORK

The pandemic forced many employees to alter their work methods and environments. The trend is expected to continue, with 4-5 times more remote work remaining in advanced economies compared to pre-pandemic rates.

Close
Icon of a hand holding a box with a gear in it

TECHNOLOGY

The use of workplace technology has skyrocketed, both in and outside of the office. Remote employees point to the inability to unplug from work as their biggest struggle.

Close
Clipboard with a checked off list

WORKLOAD

The Great Resignation has left many employees working in understaffed departments, leading to more than half of employees taking on more work and responsibilities in their coworkers’ absence.

Man in a buttoned shirt Gray gradient background

How can you develop employee resilience?

Resilience is an ability employees can cultivate, especially with help from their employers. Companies should seek to equip their people—starting with their leaders—with the knowledge and skills to overcome workplace stress and meet challenges head-on. There are three main steps in developing resilience:

KNOWLEDGE
INSIGHT
ACTION
Close
Icon of a brain

KNOWLEDGE

Employees must understand what resilience is and how it can help them avoid or overcome burnout.

Close
Icon of binoculars

INSIGHT

Employees need insights into their levels of resilience, including their strengths and weaknesses.

Close
Icon of a rocketship

ACTION

This knowledge and insight should lead to action. With support from their employers, workers can be empowered to build their resilience through the eight strategies below.

Woman wearing a buttoned shirt and a suit jacket Gray gradient background

What strategies support a resilient employee?

Employees can become more resilient by cultivating the following skills and attitudes:

SELF-BELIEF
OPTIMISM
PURPOSEFUL DIRECTION
ADAPTABILITY
INGENUITY
CHALLENGE ORIENTATION
EMOTION REGULATION
SUPPORT SEEKING
Close
Icon of a hand holding three people

SELF-BELIEF

Employees must be confident in their ability to address problems and obstacles rather than feeling like a victim of circumstance.

Close
Icon of a hand giving a thumbs up

OPTIMISM

An optimistic outlook helps employees stay positive and believe that setbacks are temporary and difficult circumstances are bound to improve.

Close
Icon of two arrows crossing

PURPOSEFUL DIRECTION

Employees should have clear goals they are committed to achieving, giving them a healthy sense of purpose and perspective.

Close
Icon of four arrows pointing to the corners of a box

ADAPTABILITY

Changing circumstances call for changes in behavior and approach. Employees must remain flexible in the face of change to move forward.

Close
Icon of a magnifying glass looking at a document

INGENUITY

Employees should be ready to seek solutions when they encounter a problem and have confidence in their ability to find these solutions.

Close
Icon of an arrow showing the way out of a maze

CHALLENGE ORIENTATION

Rather than view challenges negatively, employees should focus on the opportunities inherent in challenges to stretch their abilities and grow.

Close
Icon of a heart

EMOTION REGULATION

Employees can better manage high-pressure situations and avoid employee burnout when they remain calm and keep their emotions in check rather than falling prey to stress.

Close
Icon of a handshake

SUPPORT SEEKING

Employees shouldn’t feel they have to go it alone and readily reach out to others for support when they need help dealing with difficult situations.

How can employers gain insight into their workers’ resilience?

Employers can only create effective interventions when they know where people lack resilience-related skills. The Resilience Questionnaire from Talogy is an easy-to-use tool that can bring this issue to light and create an open dialogue about resilience in the workplace.

How can employers help employees conquer burnout through resilience?

Employers can take an active role in helping their employees develop resilience and conquer burnout. Some useful interventions include one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and well-being programs.

Employers can also make resilience a greater focus in job interviews to gain insight into where employees stand and where they might need support along the way.

Use the Resilience Questionnaire to start building a resilient workforce.
Employee resilience is key to success in this ever-changing working world. Talogy’s Resilience Questionnaire is a valuable tool organizations can use to identify and address gaps that could lead to burnout.
TALK TO US ABOUT BUILDING RESILIENCE IN YOUR ORGANISATION