Aug. 2, 2010

SHRM Online

Employee Workload, Burnout Plague Organizations

Nearly a third (31 percent) of HR managers said morale and employee productivity would be their biggest concern over the next six months, according to the results of a poll released by ComPsych Corp., a provider of employee assistance programs. “The morale and productivity issue has far surpassed concerns over health care legislation and organizational change,” said Richard A. Chaifetz, chairman and CEO of ComPsych, of the survey results.

When asked “what do you expect to be your biggest challenge in the next six months?” respondents said:

  • Maintaining employee productivity and morale (31 percent)
  • Dealing with health care costs and new legislation (26 percent)
  • Finding qualified candidates (16 percent)
  • Handling organizational change (14 percent)
  • Retaining top performers (13 percent)

“Many managers are attuned to workplace discontent, which is becoming more widespread as organizations continue to operate with lean staffs,” Chaifetz said. “Managers must take steps to ensure employees receive recognition and that [employee] workloads and other issues related to morale, such as opportunities for growth and development, are addressed.”