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The effect of remote work on employee burnout

Many American workers have found that remote work is the new normal even post-pandemic. Some experts estimate that only 6% of US workers were primarily working from home before the pandemic hit us. After the COVID lockdowns, this figure has grown almost five times by May 2020. Analysts predict that at least 20% of American workers will continue to work from home even after the pandemic ends. This gives us the incentive to address the issue of remote work burnout.

The increasing remote work over the country has significantly contributed to employee burnout. Many surveys have concluded that remote workers are affected by burnout more than on-site employees.

Is America truly affected by remote work burnout?

Although different estimates may show varying figures, most of the recent surveys have found that remote workers are reporting higher rates of burnout than the workers who performed their duties from an office. According to Indeed, 52% of all workers claim that burnout has increased during the pandemic years. One underlying issue behind this number could be the fact that most American workers were literally forced out of their offices due to the lockdowns. Most of these workers had to make the best of the resources they had to perform their duties remotely without the right guidance for adequate preparation.

Why does remote work contribute more to employee burnout?

The reasons differ for each individual, but there are several common factors reported by workers as to what is causing them burnout. A survey done by Indeed found that 53% of remote workers find themselves spending more hours on the job than when they were actually working from an office. Workers also report that they feel higher pressure from their supervisors to work over their allocated time. Some also complain that client pressure has also increased when working from home.

Also, many US employees are still struggling to find the right balance between work and their personal lives. 61% of employees admit that they have difficulty unplugging from their jobs once the workday is done. However, 6% of remote workers completely avoid work e-mail during the off hours.

How can you identify burnout?

Certain telltale symptoms will tell you whether you are affected by burnout. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms of burnout include reduced efficiency, low energy, feelings of cynicism, negativity, or mental distance from your job. Some other symptoms of burnout are:

Getting irritated with family members or coworkers
Constantly missing deadlines
Frequent mood shifts
Producing low-quality work
Avoidance of work or coworkers
Unexplainable health issues

Tips to help you avoid employee burnout

If you are working from home, starting an anti-burnout regimen will be the best thing you can do for your career and your mental health. Here are some strategies you can adopt to keep burnout at bay while working from home:

Schedule breaks during the workday

Plan each workday with enough breaks between tasks. Use your scheduled breaks to run small errands, prepare yourself a snack, or just cuddle with a pet.

Use your days off

Everyone is privileged to a certain number of days off per month. Always use your days off to do something that breaks the routine. A short hike or a trip to the museum will help you unwind.

Don’t try to complete every task on your schedule before you sign off

The urge to cross every item off of your to-do list before you call it a day will contribute to your stress a lot. Instead, let tomorrow’s work be for tomorrow.