Employee Burnout Signs: How Can You Recognize Them?

Burnout might not come with flashing neon signs, but its effects can light up your workplace like a disco gone wrong. Here’s how to spot the subtler signs that one of your team might be silently screaming for a break.

1. Constant Tiredness

Watch for employees who look like they’ve had a nightly rendezvous with every episode of their favorite binge-worthy series—repeatedly. If coffee becomes a closer companion than their actual work, you’ve got a classic case of burnout brewing.

2. Loss of Enthusiasm

It’s like watching a balloon slowly leak air. If your once bubbly employee now reacts to new projects like they’re being offered a root canal instead of a new opportunity, it might be time to intervene.

3. Drop in Performance

If your star player starts missing easy shots, something’s up. When an employee’s work starts looking like abstract art rather than the usual masterpiece, they might be burning out, not branching out.

4. Social Withdrawal

Is your team member turning into a hermit? If someone who used to spark lunchtime chats is now dining solo with only a smartphone for company, it’s a sign the burnout beast might be lurking.

5. Physical Symptoms and Changes

Notice any transformations that could give werewolves a run for their money? Frequent headaches, a sudden hate for mornings, or an appetite that’s gone on vacation could all be signs your employee is on the burnout bus.

Keeping an eye out for these signs can help you catch burnout before it turns your office into a zombie apocalypse. A little attention and action can keep everyone’s spirits—and productivity—alive and kicking.