For the past 19 months and counting, human resource (HR) leaders across the country have been beset by nonstop challenges. Between coordinating the pandemic-forced move to remote working environments, scaling back operations, bearing the brunt of negative employee feedback and ensuring that time-sensitive HR obligations are fulfilled, HR workers have worked tirelessly to manage the health and well-being of others.
However, a recent Paychex Pulse of HR Report revealed that many HR leaders need to find time to turn that compassion and care inward. In a national survey of over 1,000 HR decision-makers, Paychex found that 98% of HR leaders say that the pandemic has transformed their role. What’s more, 70% of respondents said that this been one of the most challenging years of their career.
The Paychex report also found that eight in 10 HR leaders are strategic partners within their company and are involved in conversations with the C-suite about new business initiatives. A final telling statistic: 96% of HR leaders believe that employee mental health is an employer responsibility.
This employee-first mindset is common among HR leaders and workers. In fact, a September 2020 Bank of America report on “The Evolution of Burnout” found that (of the 808 employers surveyed) 62% of employers felt extremely responsible for employees’ financial wellness and 83% of employers felt financial wellness tools lead to greater employee productivity.
Although cases of burnout have been heavily documented among healthcare workers and first responders, reports of burnout among HR leaders have continued to climb in recent months. Characterized as a state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion, burnout usually results from long-term, work-related stressors.
Here are four ways to manage signs of burnout:
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