Empathy, Connection Critical in Abating Steadily Increasing Levels of Burnout

Employee burnout has reached an all-time high, and that trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. These two sobering bits of data come from a recent survey from Glint, which aimed to take the pulse of exactly how employees are feeling now that the pandemic has dragged on well into the fall. “According to our data, we are in unprecedented employee-burnout territory. Even the term ‘burnout’ has arguably become a limited representation of what we are facing: a sustained level of stress, anxiety, and provocation with no end in sight,” Glint’s research team said, adding that “employees are both mentally and emotionally exhausted, and they’ll be finishing the calendar year with very little left to give.” According to the research, one of the best things employers can do at the moment is to make efforts to ensure employees feel connected to their organization, and share a common sense of purpose. “Consistent, thoughtful conversations between manager and employee will help your organization support each employee as they work through their individual circumstances,” the researchers said. “Even better is for your organization to recognize and embrace that these conversations have taken on a more personal tone this year, addressing the needs of the whole person rather than focusing solely on work priorities.”