Burnout Prevention

Preventing Burnout

The Impact of Burnout

Work-related stress is normal. However, burnout — chronic, unmanaged stress — is as harmful to our health as secondhand smoke. Chronic stress can have harmful effects on employees and companies, increasing the risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke. Preventing burnout requires more than individual self-care programs. Workplace policies and a supportive culture are essential for promoting positive mental well-being.

The Business Case

Employees living with burnout are more likely to be exhausted, disengaged, and have lower job performance. Employee disengagement alone costs U.S. businesses $1.9 trillion in lost productivity. Preventing burnout improves the bottom line while also optimizing employee health and well-being.

$500B

Total cost of employee disengagement per year

34%

Cost from lost productivity for every salary

81%

Of employees say they will seek out an employer that prioritizes mental health in future job searches

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Preventing Burnout Starts with Connection

Our survey results illuminated nine science-backed practices across three domains that can reduce burnout and increase workplace well-being by up to 40%:

Connection to the organization:

• Define clear roles & responsibilities
• Promote employee resource groups
• Regularly assess workloads

Connection to their role:

• Regularly assess skill and task alignment
• Offer a training path for skills, leadership and career development
• Allow input on their job design, where practical

Connection to their well-being:

• Promote overall employee health and well-being
• Ask if employees feel supported in their health and well-being
• Foster a culture of rest and recovery

Among organizations that implemented all nine of AHA's recommended burnout prevention policies, 91% of employees reported positive workplace well-being, compared to only 51% of employees at organizations with no policies in place.