As the global health crisis seems to be abating, the malaise of languishing employees seems stronger than ever. A year of uncertainty and turmoil has taken its toll, and burnout is a real problem on personal level and organizational levels. To stave off the negative effects, managers can act in several ways. First, acknowledge that it’s happening. There’s a strong tendency to expect employees to toughen up and soldier through, but that notion will only get you so far when employees feel like they’re drowning. Approach their difficulties with empathy and validate their stress. Ensuring they feel valued and heard is much more important in the long run than trying to force productivity out of an overwrought worker. Reach out to employees you feel are slipping. Check in on them. Give them time to recharge, encourage them to unplug if necessary, and demonstrate empathy above all. One way you can accomplish this is by getting vulnerable with the team. Communicate your own challenges and shortcomings to them. Show them that you’re all in it together.