Talking to an employee who is burnt out -- WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HR Bitch here: What do you want the end goal to be? Can you offer her more challenging responsibilities? Do you just want to suss out whether she wants to jump ship to another company? Do you want to just encourage her to go on a vacation and revive her attitude? Before we can advise you we need to know what your goal is.

Is there a reason you cannot just say you work in HR? Are the vulgarities necessary?

That's her DCUM handle.

I know. She calls herself that in every post. But why? It is vulgar.

Oh, can it. Stay on topic.

[Anonymous]

pay her more

[Anonymous]

My husband is going through this. I think if the problems were fixed that cause so much work & stress that would make all the difference and make him happier than a raise. Ask for her input & suggestions and try to implement them.

[Anonymous]

I don't think your employee needs a conversation/pep talk. It sounds like she needs more responsibility and get on a promotion track. Is your organize in a position to promote/advance her? If not, is there a new initiative she could take charge of?

Keeping her engaged and using her talent and experience is what you need to focus on. If I were her, I'd be looking for a promotion or a new position elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

There's something else going on here - has she been rewarded for the extras she's done? Bonuses, special recognition, new titles, other perks, more money? It isn't always about money, but some level of recognition for going above and beyond is warranted.

I think just telling her to go on vacation is going to serve as a poor message. What is that going to accomplish? How will going on vacation make her feel better? (when she comes back to a place that doesn't seem to appreciate her).

THis sounds like a scenario where you've wrung everything you can out of this poor woman and are trying for me. TOo often I've seen people move up within their first job, but they hit a brick wall where they're never going to be compensated (financially or otherwise) for the contributions they actually make, and they have to go someplace else to get that jump up. Hope she grows a backbone and goes someplace else where she is appreciated, frankly, or that you acknowledge what's really going on here.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are a shitty employer and manager. Do not suggest she take a vacation. It sounds forced. I'd be worried my job was on the line. But that is not the case, in fact just the opposite. You have run this woman into the ground for 5 years and she has gone above and beyond for you with little complaint. You no longer challenge her and have become complacent. Promote her, increase her pay, give her a new office and a big ass bonus and stop treating her like a slave.

[Anonymous]

Not every super hard worker is that way because they enjoy it. Some of them never say no because they are anxiety-ridden perfectionists with imposter syndrome who secretly believe that their professional world will come to an end if they ever cease being able to deliver 110%.

You can usually tell which ones they are because they will let you shovel work down their throats like stuffing a goose for fois gras without ever asking for compensation, right up until the day they snap, throw their computer monitor through the Managing Director's hall window, and have to be dragged out by security.

Don't ask me how I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not every super hard worker is that way because they enjoy it. Some of them never say no because they are anxiety-ridden perfectionists with imposter syndrome who secretly believe that their professional world will come to an end if they ever cease being able to deliver 110%.

You can usually tell which ones they are because they will let you shovel work down their throats like stuffing a goose for fois gras without ever asking for compensation, right up until the day they snap, throw their computer monitor through the Managing Director's hall window, and have to be dragged out by security.

Don't ask me how I know.

Or they may beat the fax machine with a baseball bat while Beastie Boys music blares in the background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not every super hard worker is that way because they enjoy it. Some of them never say no because they are anxiety-ridden perfectionists with imposter syndrome who secretly believe that their professional world will come to an end if they ever cease being able to deliver 110%.

You can usually tell which ones they are because they will let you shovel work down their throats like stuffing a goose for fois gras without ever asking for compensation, right up until the day they snap, throw their computer monitor through the Managing Director's hall window, and have to be dragged out by security.

Don't ask me how I know.

This is me too.

[Anonymous]

Another thought--she may have something going on I'm her personal life that is affecting her at work.

[Anonymous]

In, not I'm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are a shitty employer and manager. Do not suggest she take a vacation. It sounds forced. I'd be worried my job was on the line. But that is not the case, in fact just the opposite. You have run this woman into the ground for 5 years and she has gone above and beyond for you with little complaint. You no longer challenge her and have become complacent. Promote her, increase her pay, give her a new office and a big ass bonus and stop treating her like a slave.

+1

[Anonymous]

It sounds like your office has taken advantage of this person, and now you really want more. But she sees what it gets her -- more work. She probably deserves a promotion, but more likely she will move on to another company. She would be a fool to believe that you will let up. Once you get her working again, the work will pile on her shoulders again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't know if this will work but ask her what's the one thing she needs to do everyday or every week so she doesn't get burnt out. And when the time comes, let her do it (eg, no matter if you're in the middle of a meeting or brainstorming, let her go and attend her kid's sports practice at 3pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or make it to the weekly dinner with college friends at 5pm every Friday). This is what Marissa Mayer said she did to keep those on her Google teams from burning out.

+1. This is in the same vein as those suggesting you promote/compensate/recognize her, but it may be more feasible for you than actual money compensation. My office gives three hours/week of administrative time to work out at the office gym, so long as our productivity goals are met. My boss also hands out "time off awards" -- from 4 to 40 hours -- to recognize individual efforts. Other offices have teleworking, or a half-day once a month, or whatever.

Basically, "Go use your own vacation time to recharge so you can work more" is not nearly as good as "You've worked really hard, so take a day off -- on us."

[Anonymous]

Damn PP, I want to work at your company! Care to share the name?? And are you hiring?