AGENCY OPERATIONS
AVOIDING BURNOUT: BUILDING BETTER REMOTE WORK BOUNDARIES Let’s face it: working from home takes some getting used to. Depending on the type of employee, some use it as one long coffee break, or they simply don’t know when to switch off. The majority of remote workers fall into that second camp, as statistics bear out. A recent Catalyst report shows that COVID-related work burnout was reported in 88.4 percent of survey respondents, with 60.7% of those reporting high levels of burnout.
Setting Clear Work/Home Boundaries To find that balance, you need to keep both areas of your life separate. But how do you do that when work and home are the same place? Start with creating boundaries. Login/logout. When the computer/laptop is on, you’re working. That simple shift in thinking – and in presenting your boundaries to other people in the home – gives you a more defined mindset. When you logout, you’re now on personal time. Work cannot interfere.
Despite the positive benefits of remote work – feeling more innovative (63%); being more engaged in work (75%); feeling more included (93%), and; feeling more likely to remain committed to the organization – some Set regular hours. Set a work schedule. For instance, workers are overdoing it. in by 8 am, out by 4 pm. Stick with your schedule as closely as possible. Establishing a routine creates a More than just a few, it would seem. According to an clear boundary between work life and personal life. Indeed.com survey, 52% say they have experienced or are experiencing burnout in 2021 – an increase Reintroduce your “commute.” Before starting your over pre-COVID survey where just 43% felt burnout. day, go out for coffee, take a quick walk, or go for a And 67% believe burnout has worsened during short drive. Treat this as your psychological commute. the pandemic. They’re reporting working longer You are leaving home, and arriving back at your work hours, and that, says 27% of survey respondents, is station. Create that mental separation between work attributing to feeling burned out. and home, even if they are in the same location. With so many of us working remotely, understanding how to prevent or alleviate burnout is critical. Fortunately, just a few modifications in your workday – and your behavior – can bring more order to your day, and deliver a better work-life balance.
14 | OCTOBER 2021 |
wisconsin INDEPENDENT AGENT
Schedule breaks. Working in an office is filled with breaks – chats with coworkers, coffee breaks, lunch breaks, even exercise breaks. When working remotely, schedule breaks throughout your day. Put them on your calendar and don’t allow anything to get in the way. Walk, stretch, get out of your workspace and do something that isn’t work-related. Two small breaks along with your lunch break can reset your balance.
