Recognizing and Supporting Burnout in High-Level Moms: A Guide for Managers
In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, recognizing and addressing burnout in your team members, especially high-level moms, is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. In this blog post, we will delve into the three main types of burnout high-level moms often experience and explore practical steps managers can take to help them regain their balance.
The Three Types of Burnout
Workplace Burnout: High-level moms can easily become overwhelmed by their work responsibilities. The pressures of juggling career demands while managing family life can take a toll on their well-being. As a manager, be on the lookout for signs such as increased stress, exhaustion, and a decline in work quality. If a mom on your team is consistently struggling with these issues, it's a clear indicator of workplace burnout.
Volunteer Burnout: Many working moms often take on additional responsibilities in the workplace, such as organizing events or handling tasks outside their job description. While their dedication is admirable, it can lead to volunteer burnout. Managers should pay attention to any team members who are overextending themselves with extra work, as it can be a sign of burnout. When a mom feels responsible for tasks beyond her scope of work, it can lead to exhaustion and reduced performance.
Caretaker Burnout: Juggling work responsibilities with caring for children or aging parents is a constant struggle for high-level moms. They often find themselves torn between these roles, leading to caretaker burnout. As a manager, you should be sensitive to signs of increasing absenteeism, missed deadlines, and a general sense of exhaustion. These are indicators that your team member may be grappling with the challenges of caretaker burnout.
Taking Action as a Manager
Recognizing the signs of burnout is the first step in supporting your high-level mom team members. Once you've identified the red flags, it's crucial to take appropriate actions to help them regain their balance and well-being. Ardenia Gould provides valuable guidance on how to address burnout:
Check-In Regularly: Make an effort to have open and empathetic conversations with your team members. If a high-level mom is calling out more frequently, seems tired, lethargic, or is consistently missing deadlines, take the time to inquire about her well-being. Let her know that you are there to support her through challenging times.
Offer Flexibility: High-level moms often face the difficult task of balancing their work and family responsibilities. Providing flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or adjusted schedules, can alleviate some of the stress associated with caretaker burnout.
Encourage Self-Care: Promote the importance of self-care within your team. Encourage your high-level moms to take breaks, utilize their vacation days, and prioritize their mental and physical health. Lead by example and show that you value well-being in the workplace.
Provide Resources: Offer access to resources that can help high-level moms manage their responsibilities better. This could include access to counseling services, support groups, or guidance on time management and prioritization.