Five ways to reduce burnout in tech
The tech sector is known for its fast-paced nature, with innovations and advancements happening at lightning speed. New technologies emerge, evolve and become obsolete in months, if not weeks.
This constant change creates a dynamic environment that requires professionals to stay up-to-date and adaptable. As exciting as it is, it creates a real risk of burnout in the sector.
In light of Stress Awareness Month in the UK, this article will explore some of the main reasons tech professionals experience burnout and what businesses can do to permanently reduce its impact on their workforce.
Our latest Careers and Hiring Guide shows that 45% of permanent AWS professionals and 36% of freelancers have experienced burnout in their current role. It also shows that 65% of AWS professionals work outside their contracted hours.
To further explore the issue, we collected data breaking down burnout by age demographic to see how it affects the different generations working in the tech sector today. The results show that Gen Z is the generation experiencing the highest burnout rates in the sector.
So, what’s the main trigger behind this phenomenon among tech professionals? While the causes can vary from workplace to workplace, there are common elements that contribute to burnout across the industry. We asked our LinkedIn community about the main factor causing them to feel burned out, and bad management came out as the top factor.
We also asked what employees would like to see their employer implement within their organization to make a lasting impact. The most desired change was adding more flexible working options, followed by a reduced workload.
What can businesses do to reduce burnout within their workforce?
According to our Careers and Hiring Guide, only 64% of AWS professionals agree that their employer has policies to support employee mental health. So, here are five actionable tips you can use within your company to raise the bar.
Provide work-life balance
You can actively encourage a healthy work-life balance by:
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Offer opportunities for growth
Research shows that a lack of opportunity for growth and advancement is among the top stressors at work. Offering your employees opportunities for career progression can include training and development programs, mentorship, and clear promotion paths.
Foster a positive work environment
Create a positive workspace where employees feel valued, respected, and supported by:
Managers should also be trained to maintain an environment of psychological safety.
Manage workload
Employers should manage workload to ensure employees are not overwhelmed with work. Here are a few examples:
Enforce management training
With 54% of respondents stating that bad management is the number one reason why they experienced burnout, it’s important for organizations to equip their managers with the necessary skills for people management, such as effective communication, the ability to provide constructive feedback in a respectful manner, setting appropriate tasks and recognizing employee achievements.