In 2021 the World Health Organization (WHO) classified burnout on their international disease classification (ICD-11) list. They define it as “emotional exhaustion + disillusionment + withdrawal” in connection with health workers, but it can affect any employee in any work sector, and is usually caused by high levels of stress caused by overworking.
UK charity Mental Health UK and international research and analytics group YouGov took a survey of 2,099 people and found that 85% of UK adults correctly identified symptoms of burnout, and 46% of UK workers feel more vulnerable to extreme levels of stress compared to figures from 2020.
No employee should have to experience burnout.
But thankfully, help is at hand.
A total rewards platform that’s in line with the WHO
The WHO lists several preventative measures that it believes will reduce burnout in the years to come. Here are just a few measures that employees should have according to the WHO:
- More realistic and gratifying goals
- Work feedback
- In-house training
- Time management techniques
- Periodic “burnout check-ups”
- “Time-outs” whenever necessary
- Vacations (at short notice if necessary)
Thanks to a total rewards platform and a mobile app that sport the latest communication engines, employers are able to engage with their employees effectively and efficiently. To add to this, employees have access to health and wellness benefits such as the ability to book time with specialists and relaxation sessions.
But health and wellness benefits are just the tip of the total rewards platform iceberg.
Streamlining HR processes that create better work environments
Another reason for employee burnout is the antiquated approach to HR processes that some companies choose to adopt. This can mean onboarding and offboarding takes longer, meetings can drag on and be many, and company & team events can fall by the wayside. Some employees may feel as if they have little contact with their colleagues and their managers, creating a work environment that is far from perfect.
With a total rewards platform, these processes are streamlined and organized in such a way that employees are kept up to date with everything the company does as well as keeping in contact with their closest colleagues. Onboarding and offboarding new employees isn’t the arduous task it used to be as checklists are drawn up for newcomers to complete, training videos can be used, and work benefits, such as health and wellness contributions, can be accessed. Who wouldn’t like that kind of welcome as a new employee? And with a mobile platform, employees have access 24/7 whenever and wherever they find themselves.
Putting employees first: a total rewards platform in action
With burnout now an officially listed condition, companies have never been more aware of how their employees are feeling. Michael Siljö, Business Director at IT company Softgear, said “We want to be an attractive employer even before someone starts with us. Then, [after they’ve joined us, they’ll see] we’re very generous and pay for everything from marathon participations to buying a ski pass. Our benefits set the tone for what sort of company we are.”
With a total rewards platform, employers are able to comply with the WHO’s recommendations more easily, and employees are able to reach out whenever they feel they need help, whether it’s burnout or any other health issue.
Want to read more about Softgear’s successful collaboration with Benify? Download the Softgear client case.
