The last couple of years have been rough on everyone in the healthcare field, including medical offices. Many suffered burnout early in the pandemic; others held it all together until now when they are quietly falling apart. Chances are someone on your team has had enough of the pressures from work, short staff and short resources, home responsibilities, family, finances, the public health emergency and other turmoil in society. As a manager, you want to help. Here are four ideas to get you started:
- Help organize and prioritize work into manageable and clear expectations. These changes can help rebuild energy over time and aid in recovery.
- Develop a practical strategy to support an employee who may be experiencing burnout.
- As part of any plan, ask the employee how best to recognize their successes and victories. This could include immediate and personal praise, opportunities for growth and development, public recognition, or incentives.
- It is important to understand what is most valued by the employee. This may help as employees experiencing burnout often have a significant loss of confidence in their overall competency.
- Consider opportunities for the employee to help or support others, keeping in mind this may not be a great strategy if that was a regular and difficult part of the employee’s job prior to their burnout. By taking the attention away from what they are not doing well, and instead using their strengths to mentor or coach someone else, you may help reduce apathy and cynicism.
