Incentive - September 2008 - (Page 18) HEADLINES Battling Burnout Blues Incentives can help prevent hardworking employees from stressing out BY JEANIE CASISON hen a Careerbuilder.com survey shows that 78 percent of workers are burned out, it may be time for an intervention on the part of employers everywhere. The need for better stress management becomes even more essential with the eroding economy leaving many Americans feeling they have to scramble to maintain their quality of life. Soaring stress levels can be blamed on downsizing and more responsibility on the job. According to the Careerbuilder.com survey of more than 7,600 workers nationwide, 46 percent say that their workload has increased over the last six months and 45 percent describe their workload as heavy or too heavy. Additionally, close to a quarter (23 percent) of respondents report dissatisfaction with their current work/life balance. “There are less people tasked with doing W “It is more challenging to do business now, and, noticeably, everyone is affected.” more work, and that translates to an increase in stress levels. These are symptoms of businesses operating on leaner budgets,” says Jennifer Grasz, a spokesperson for Chicagobased Careerbuilder.com. “But there are different ways to make stressful situations more manageable. Many employers are implementing work/life programs and offering greater flexibility. So you do see businesses acknowledging burnout, and workers voicing a need to better manage their professional and personal commitments. economy, everyone is even more stressed out. It is more challenging to do business now, and, noticeably, everyone is affected. So that is why incentive programs are even more important in today’s economic climate.” Down times are not discouraging one of –Rich Wise, Wise Incentives Rich’s clients from seeking rest and relaxation. “I’m putting together a program for a mortgage company. Despite mortgage comAmong the programs that are being offered by companies to help address worker panies having a really stressful year, my client decided that we are going to work woes are alternative schedules (72 percent), together and go ahead with their annual compressed work weeks (24 percent), incentive program,” he says. “You really telecommuting (15 percent), summer hours need incentives to motivate people to reach (14 percent) and job sharing (6 percent). goals at a time when they might find it hard Employee incentives can also offer some to reach. It’s good for morale and camaform of relief. “Travel has been proven over the years to be a really good motivator,” says raderie. First, employees are working towards a goal, and if they reach it they get Rich Wise of Wise Incentives in San Diego. to go and play. Second, they get to forget “With everything going on in the world, about work for a few days.” especially in the United States with our 18 | Incentive | September 2008 | incentivemag.com http://Careerbuilder.com http://Careerbuilder.com http://Careerbuilder.com http://incentivemag.com
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