The economy’s opening back up and people are getting back to work. With things having been closed for the past few months, there may be a lot of businesses that need to play “catch-up”. For business owners, while catching up on lost time may seem essential, it’s important to be mindful of your employees’ energy levels and motivation.

If you feel you’re being overworked, here’s why you need to ensure that you are given proper breaks and sufficient time off!

Overworked Employees Are Less Efficient

One of the first ways you can tell if you’re overworked is by gauging your efficiency. If you’re normally an efficient and productive worker but have recently seen those efficiency levels drop, it may be because you are being overworked.

If you’re an employer, and you’ve noticed one of your employees is producing less than he or she usually does, it would be wise to have an open conversation about what you can do to improve their working conditions. Coming to a mutual understanding about what works and what doesn’t will improve workplace satisfaction immensely.

Overworked Employees Can Result In A High Turnover Rate

If a business has an overworked staff, it’s likely that the business also has a high turnover rate. if an employee is consistently dealing with a heavy workload, it can have a negative impact on his or her physical and mental wellbeing. Furthermore, it can fuel workplace dissatisfaction. For employers, the last thing you want is for your team to associate the workplace with stress and anxiety. Otherwise, its likely members of your team will look elsewhere for work.

If you find yourself looking for a job, we suggest taking a look at reviews from current & previous employees on job-searching websites like Indeed or Workopolis. Do you see a trend of people saying they weren’t happy with the working conditions? It might be a good idea to steer clear of that listing.

Morale Can Take A Nosedive

Lastly, if a workplace overworked staff, it’s likely that overall employee morale will take a nosedive. Morale is extremely important for any company – when employee morale is high, work quality is higher, projects are completed more quickly and accurately, and the working environment is uplifted.

For employers, there are many ways you can prevent a nosedive in employee morale. Give employees work-free areas including a break room or access to things like free coffee or a soda fountain. Giving employees opportunities to unwind and relax can boost morale and relieve a bit of the stress that comes with having a high workload.

Being overworked can come with a lot of negative consequences including decreased efficiency, higher employee turnover and an overall decrease in morale. If you feel like you are overworked it’s important for your well-being to take a break. By decreasing your stress levels, many of these issues can be avoided.