Avoiding HR Burnout: Boosting Resilience and Managing Work-life Balance

As a human resources manager, you are at the forefront of finding and retaining top talent. So you know how important it is to prioritize employee well-being.

Ironically, this increased focus on a positive employee experience can contribute to HR burnout. While you strive to maintain a healthy work environment, you may be neglecting your own well-being.

Your burnout can impact the health of the entire company. That's why it's important for you (and your company) to understand the causes and effects of HR burnout. Then you can use effective prevention strategies.

Why is HR a stressful job these days?

Recent efforts to improve employee well-being are creating overload in the work lives of HR professionals. And they take a mental and emotional toll.

And why?

Because these new priorities, while worthwhile, often add to HR managers' already full plates without consideration for reallocating workload.

In a recent SHRM study, human resources professionals named maintaining employee morale and engagement as their top priority for 2023. This is in addition to their regular responsibilities such as recruiting and selecting applicants, managing benefits, and maintaining employee relations.

How burnout harms you and your company

HR managers play a crucial role in shaping office culture. They are committed to employee well-being, engagement and satisfaction. And when the weight of your responsibilities leads to exhaustion, both you and the company suffer.

When you are mentally burned out and stressed, you find it difficult to do your work effectively. You will then be less satisfied with your work and less committed.

Your lack of energy can, in turn, lead to lower morale, higher turnover, and lower productivity.

The Signs and Causes of HR Burnout

If you want to avoid the effects mentioned above, you need to recognize and combat burnout.

So what should you pay attention to? What exactly does burnout look like?

People experiencing burnout often feel emotionally drained and detached from their work. They may also show signs of physical and mental fatigue.

Watch out for these common signs:

• Persistent fatigue
• Decreasing job satisfaction
• Increasing cynicism
• Decline in productivity

Several factors can cause burnout among HR professionals.

It may be due to excessive workload and unrealistic expectations.

A lack of work-life balance or inadequate support can also contribute. You may find yourself working outside of regular office hours if you have employees in different time zones. Feeling like you have to be available 24/7 can blur the line between work and home life. There is also little time for relaxation and self-care.

Finally, exhaustion often results from dealing with conflicts and challenges in the workplace. The responsibility of maintaining a positive work environment while enforcing policies can create a feeling of conflict. Finding a balance between empathy and adhering to company policies can be challenging.

By understanding the causes, you can take steps to prevent or eliminate potential burnout.

6 Strategies to Prevent and Treat HR Burnout

Taking care of your well-being goes beyond simply implementing employee wellness programs. It requires a comprehensive approach from both you and your employer.

The following six strategies are a good place to start.

1.Set boundaries

Set boundaries to prevent work from interfering with your personal life. Be clear about when and how you are available and ensure that your expectations for your own workload are reasonable.

For example, set specific times for work and personal life.

Turn off notifications and create emergency plans for your colleagues when you go on vacation. (Without boundaries and a solid plan for delegating tasks, even time off can cause stress).

Prioritize your workload and learn to delegate when possible. Realizing that you don't have to take on every task yourself can really lighten your load.

The most important thing is that you have realistic expectations and discuss your boundaries with your colleagues.

How your employer can help: Companies should establish sensible work policies and support their employees in adhering to them. Management can set a good example by respecting work hours and working with you to relieve you of heavy tasks. With the right support from the company, you can walk away from work guilt-free and return refreshed.

2.Practice self-care

Make time for activities like regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and hobbies. These can help you recharge and reduce stress levels.

Also pay attention to your own physical and mental health. For example, get regular checkups, eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.

How your employer can help: Companies can help by providing resources such as wellness programs and access to mental health support. They should also promote a healthy work-life balance in their policies and practices.

3.Seek support in the HR community

Find a network within the HR community to connect with like-minded people who understand your unique challenges. Interacting with others in the industry can provide a sense of camaraderie. It offers reassurance and support.

You can build a support system by attending networking events. Or by getting involved in industry associations and attending conferences or seminars. All of this gives you the opportunity to build relationships, share experiences and exchange best practices.

How your employer can help: Companies can encourage participation in peer support networks and cover the cost of membership. Or they can allocate a budget for HR employees to attend industry events.

In addition to external support, companies can also offer internal support systems. For example with mentor programs or buddy systems. These give more experienced HR professionals the opportunity to provide guidance and support to their younger colleagues.

4.Promote open communication and transparency

You can improve your own well-being by sharing your concerns and ideas with leaders. Open, productive conversations help you solve problems before they get out of hand.

You can also support policies that promote open communication and transparency across the organization. Good communication promotes trust and cooperation. Both are the key to a healthy work environment.

How your employer can help: Companies can provide HR professionals with a platform to raise concerns, share ideas and receive support. This can take the form of regular meetings, team meetings or anonymous feedback opportunities.

Managers should also involve HR in decisions that impact their roles and responsibilities. Giving them a say in shaping human resources policies and practices can increase job satisfaction.

5.Build resilience

Learning to manage stress and recover from setbacks will keep your energy and engagement at high levels.

Learn on your own by attending conferences or training courses. Look for support groups in your industry. Or seek advice from professionals trained in stress management techniques.

How your employer can help: Companies can offer training programs on specific skills, such as: E.g.:

• Resilience
• Coping with stress
• Emotional intelligence

6.Strive for continuous learning and development

Upskilling and reskilling opportunities are critical to retaining top talent in today's competitive job market. This also applies to HR employees.

You need to keep up to date with the latest practices and industry trends. You also need to acquire the skills that will help you combat burnout effectively.

How your employer can help: Fostering a growth mindset within HR can promote a sense of empowerment. A company can offer training programs, workshops, and conferences that focus on improving HR skills. This can include topics such as conflict resolution, effective communication and stress management.

A healthy workplace starts with you

Most HR professionals choose this career because they want to help others. By prioritizing self-care and managing work-related stress, you can best support your employees and the company as a whole.

Recognizing and addressing HR burnout creates a healthier work environment and allows you to excel in your role. So take these efforts seriously.

Remember, a well-supported HR team leads to a healthier, happier workforce.

Tips by Icehrm.com, A promising digital HR platform.