The #1 Employee Concern During Coronavirus and How Managers Can Help

Workplace changes in response to coronavirus have many people working on overdrive—and the effects are showing up in employee voice surveys. 

Since March 18th, Glint gathered over 2.5 million data points from over 650,000 individual surveys submitted from employees around the world. The standout trend threatening employee wellbeing? Burnout. 

Burnout is the greatest area of concern for employees right now. According to Glint, comments in employee voice surveys about burnout have doubled since March.

As a manager, you're likely balancing your own experience with change and how to show up in the most impactful way for your team. The good news is that we have data to report on the three ways to help your team fight burnout and courses free through June 30th to help you show up for your team during this unique time: 

1. Go the extra mile to intentionally and compassionately communicate. 

Employees who feel their managers could be doing more to communicate during this challenging time are 2.7x more likely to use language that signals burnout. If they feel their organization isn't communicating change well, they're 2.1x more likely to exhibit signs of burnout. 

Managers can be the voices employees need to hear no matter how your organization is handling this challenging time. Show up for your team by learning how to: 

• Handle and communicate a major disruption to the way you do business in the course Crisis Communications.

• Be an effective and compassionate messenger of change in the course Communication in Times of Change.

2. Talk with your team about changes to their workload.

It's no surprise that employees with overwhelming workloads are 2.3x more likely to provide feedback that is indicative of burnout, compared with those who feel their workload is manageable. 

Whether or not your team's roles and responsibilities have dramatically increased or not, they may feel like their workload isn't manageable in these current circumstances. Talk to your direct reports about what work is essential and how you can support them. Help your team by learning how to: 

• Keep your team focused, inspired, and aligned during the impacts of COVID-19 in the course Advice For Leaders During a Crisis.

• Encourage your team to adopt a growth mindset and help them focus and prioritize what matters most in the course Managing in Difficult Times.

3. Provide a safe space to talk about work life balance. 

It can be particularly hard to manage work life balance when work and life are in the same physical space—in many cases with the whole family in the house at all times. 

Employees who struggle with balancing their personal and work lives are 4.4x more likely to exhibit signs of burnout, compared with those who feel they're managing the balance effectively.

Be an even more supportive manager during this time by learning how to: 

• Help your team manage stress and overwhelm in the course How to Manage Feeling Overwhelmed.

• Talk with your team about greater well-being and enhanced productivity in the course Thrive @ Work: Leveraging the Connection between Well-Being and Productivity

Check out more courses on how to manage stress and other relevant courses to help you learn how to manage and lead during difficult times.