Signs of Boss Burnout and How to Recover

There are a lot of different strategies managers can use to help employees who are feeling burned out at work, but what if you’re in charge and you are experiencing boss burnout? 

Many managers are overwhelmed with project deadlines and skeletal staff numbers. It can be incredibly hard to meet your professional objectives when you don’t have a team large enough to get the work done. If you could use staffing support, connect with the employment professionals at Staffing Network today.

Recovering from Professional Slumps

When things aren’t going well at work, it is normal to think of making a change. But before you make a drastic shift, such as quitting your job and moving, carefully assess your situation. There may be a way to make small changes that will drastically improve your work life. 

Identifiers of boss burnout: 

  • Exhausted. Some people report feeling physically tired and others experience symptoms, such as headaches or insomnia. 
  • Isolated. Work becomes so stressful you stop connecting with others who normally buoy your spirits, such as friends and family. 
  • Irritable. When individuals are burned out at work, they tend to have short tempers. This could result in them snapping at people in their personal life or at the office. 

While your employees may see you as someone who is committed to their work and willingly puts in all the hours necessary to complete a project and stay on deadline, the reality could be that your desire to do good work is contributing to your boss burnout. After all, you need to take care of yourself before you can care for others. 

Combat Boss Burnout with Boundaries and Support

Once you have identified your boss burnout, you can take steps to improve the situation. For instance, if the workload is too much for your team, you need to set boundaries and seek support.

Boundaries will vary, depending on the individual and their situation. Maybe for you it is essential to have weekends to spend time with loved ones and not be online. Others like to be in touch with teammates over the weekend, but find it is helpful to set aside time for mental breaks, such as a yoga class or walks with friends. 

Of course, in order to implement self care, more staff may be necessary. Thankfully, there are professionals who can help you with that, too. Temporary support staff can bring relief when a team is struggling to meet a deadline or a key staff member needs to take time off. 

For example, if one of your employees is going on maternity leave, you don’t have to add their workload to your already full agenda. Instead, plan ahead. Connect with a temp worker who can smooth day-to-day operations. 

Boss burnout can happen to anyone. Recognize that it is normal and connect with the support you need. 

Do you need help in your office? Connect with an employment professional for your staffing needs. Staffing Network is a full-service staffing and recruiting firm that specializes in light/skilled industrial, engineering, and operations professionals. Connect with Staffing Network today.

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