Combating Workplace Burnout: 5 Creative Employee Benefits Solutions

At a glance

• Employees share a collective trauma: A 2023 article by the American Psychological Association (APA) stated that employees’ most recent stressors are caused by the aftermath of the pandemic along with global crises.
• Provide better support systems: Employers and HR teams can help ease the burden by getting creative with the benefits and perks they provide, which will ultimately improve retention and mitigate the effects of thiscollective trauma.
• Next steps: Aprio’s Employee Benefits Services team can provide valuable third-party support and develop custom-designed employee benefit solutions that allow employers to better serve their team members during difficult periods.

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The full story:

Workplace burnout is a highly unpleasant mental and physical condition that can occur if you work too hard for too long. According to APA’s 2024 Work in America survey, many workplaces are still getting adjusted to the new normal and changing landscape of employment brought about by many global crises: 43% of employees say that at any time during their workday, they typically feel stressed, and 61% of employees experience lower psychological safety at work.

Some employee benefits such as paid time off (PTO), parental leave, health insurance, and retirement planning should be pillars of your employee benefits package and also warrant regular review and improvement. We listed five proactive solutions to take better care of your employees from a more holistic perspective:

1. Foster employee health and wellness routinely

Flexible work options, or the ability to allow employees to tailor their work schedules to their lifestyles, can go a long way toward improving your team members’ mental health. Allotted PTO time seems to be at the top of an employee’s mind when thinking about their mental health. These leaves of absence can give employees time to destress from workload exhaustion and alleviate workplace burnout.

From a mental health perspective, many companies are investing in mindfulness or life coaching programs that give employees additional outlets to release, manage, and navigate mental and emotional stress. When your employees know they have support at work to deal with major challenges and life events, they are more likely to feel fulfilled by their jobs and continue their careers with your organization.

2. Continue to prioritize perks for families

As an employer, you need to practice active listening to your employees’ struggles with work/life balance and continue to provide support systems that allow them to bridge the gap. Make it a priority to review your leave benefits every year; analyze benchmarks and make improvements as you see fit. In today’s competitive labor market, you cannot afford to offer the bare minimum.

3. Promote continuous education and professional development

Investing in your employees’ skill sets, knowledge, and career paths can not only boost your business’s bottom line, but it can also help redirect your team members’ focus, increase productivity, and reignite their passion. Consider offering education, professional memberships, and certifications reimbursement options to encourage professional development.

However, if increasing your reimbursement benefit isn’t compatible with your budget, another option for fostering professional development is spearheading an employee mentorship program, which pairs more seasoned team members with junior members to facilitate knowledge sharing and relationship development.

4. Provide tools to promote financial wellness

Achieving future financial goals can be exciting but also stressful for employees of all ages. That’s why some employers are providing team members with access to resources, applications, and technology tools that can help with everything from budgeting to saving for unexpected expenses and emergencies. Similar to education reimbursement, other companies are providing employees with access to student loan repayment plans, helping remove a barrier to access for many employees across industries and experience levels.

5. Workplace upgrades

Companies with hybrid work arrangements should continue to enhance their office environments to keep employees excited about coming to work, while at the same time reducing burnout triggers. One way to improve comfort, appeal, and camaraderie is to invest in basic office upgrades. This may include more standing and ergonomically friendly workstations that allow employees to work more comfortably, or a casual dress code if you work in a non-client-facing setting. You can also consider setting up a game room for a more fun, but productive work environment.

To continue promoting health and wellness, you may also choose to offer more healthy snacks in the office or coordinate catered lunches that replicate the convenience and flexibility many employees enjoyed when solely working from home.

The bottom line

By prioritizing employees’ mental health and physical well-being along with workplace demands, employers can create a productive, sustainable work environment. Recognizing, acknowledging, and taking proactive steps to mitigate burnout symptoms can help you and your employees thrive and position your workplace for continuous growth and success.

Aprio’s Employee Benefits Services team can provide valuable third-party support and develop custom-designed employee benefit solutions that allow employers to better serve their team members during difficult periods.

Related Resources/Assets/Aprio.com articles/pages

Aprio Employee Benefits Services Page

Stress in America 2023

U.S. workers adjust to the changing nature of employment