What employees and employers can do to avoid burnout - Hazel Jackson, CEO of biz-group

Job burnout is something that companies should not take for granted as it can impact productivity, so managers need to increase their sensitivity to how their employees are doing or what is going on in their departments. "Ask the team how they are feeling and what is getting in the way of progress. Find out if some simple wins can reduce needless work," advised Hazel Jackson of biz-group.

Citing the ‘Management by Walk About' approach popularised by management guru Tom Peters, Jackson said managers should "get out of their office, work the corridors and operations, stop and listen to what people are saying, and more importantly, listen for what they are not saying." It also pays to promote the work-life balance. "Helping your people to enjoy a positive work-life balance is an important part of being a responsible employer and helps ensure the best performance of your team. Positive, motivated and engaged employees are fundamental for business success," Jackson said.

Feel-good activities

For those who feel they have too many tasks to complete and not enough time, a good solution would be to write down everything and prioritise. "You might think you don't have time to do this, but it's essential. Once you have your list, ask if anyone else can help you. Delegate where you can. Then remove items that you don't believe are important. Having a clear view of what needs to be completed makes you feel more in control and in turn reduces burnout," Jackson advised. "Marcus Buckingham's book, Discover Your Strengths, helps individuals to discover their core strengths and put them to work. Try to find ways to spend the majority of your time playing to your strengths. Doing this really does energise us, whereas struggling constantly with our weaknesses tends to deplete us," she said.

More working people feeling frazzled in the office

While there are no statistics to establish the extent of burnout in UAE workplaces, studies show that many residents are already feeling frazzled in the office and finding it difficult to achieve work-life balance. According to a survey by Bayt.com, nearly half (45 per cent) of working women in the UAE have received a negative response from their employer regarding flexible timing or working from home, which adds to their struggle to balance career and personal life. About 40 per cent of working women in the UAE also have low satisfaction with the recognition they receive from their bosses for a job well done. Entrepreneurs are not spared by the stress bug, either. According to a recent survey by Regus, an overwhelming majority (62 per cent) of entrepreneurs in the UAE have reported that their stress levels have risen markedly in the past two years. Among the major contributors to businessmen's stress include late payment issues, reduced bank credit and falling revenues.

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