A Message From Universal Events Inc.: Don’t Be A Burnout

Not a newsflash: burnout among nonprofit organizations is a real thing.

The nonprofit sector, though extremely rewarding in a humanitarian and spiritual sense, remains challenging for staffers and volunteers who regularly report stress and burnout.

A 2019 study conducted by McKinsey discovered that almost half of nonprofit employees are considering parting ways with their respective organizations in the next two years simply due to burnout. So, consider having read the writing on the wall on this hot-button issue. There’s simply no hiding from it. The real question is, what to do about it.

Nonprofit burnout is a dysfunctional reality resulting from persistent emotional, physical and psychological stress or overwhelm after long-term exposure to difficult workplace environments.

People involved in nonprofit organizations are typically deeply committed to the cause, leading them to make personal sacrifices and often neglecting their well-being.

Emotional involvement is an integral part of nonprofit work, but excesses can lead to outsized stress responses. As the employee or volunteer tries to suppress their stress, it further fuels the problem. The ultimate outcome can be burnout.

Emotional Overload

In many cases, nonprofit employees handle multiple tasks in the office, covering much more than their job descriptions and taking on heavy workloads. Hours under pressure accumulate, with additional burdens of after-hour events and fundraisers.

In an attempt to do more with less, nonprofit organizations essentially ask employees to perform tasks that don’t reflect employee capacity. This translates to an atmosphere in which people feel overwhelmed and stressed. A perceived lack of managerial or organizational support is sometimes added to the mix, leading to a sense of powerlessness. Demoralization and burnout can often be the result.

Symptoms of Burnout - And Some Solutions

A better awareness of burnout is essential for early intervention. Some common signs are fatigue, insomnia, forgetfulness, increased illnesses and health issues, and loss of enjoyment and job satisfaction. This can in turn lead to isolation or feelings of loneliness which fuels pessimism and decreased productivity.

First, utilize volunteers to help overwhelmed staffers. By helping with activities that could otherwise strain employees, volunteers can come to your rescue if deployed effectively. This not only creates rewarding experiences for volunteers but can build organizational team spirit and boost morale among staff.

Second, invest in employees. Providing adequate training is a non-negotiable. Building a culture of learning and empowerment is a huge plus when combating burnout. And of course, strive to provide competitive compensation, benefits and other incentives.

Third, show appreciation. It is also important to celebrate successes and achievements whatever size they may be. This is an effective way to reduce burnout when the appreciation is felt as genuine and sincere. By rewarding impactful employees, positive reinforcement boosts morale and provides motivation.

Fourth, encourage self-care. The paradigm that self-care is somehow indulgent is a non-starter in today’s wellness-conscious environment. The implementation of practices such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness can curtail workplace stress. Promoting downtime and offering access to healthy snacks are two more ways to offer tangible rewards for workplace performance.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

And, finally, invest in external partnerships like consulting services and outsourcing agencies. Universal Events Inc. collaborates with nonprofit organizations and ethical businesses by taking on administrative tasks such as accounting and social media, which can give staffers more time and energy to focus on your organization’s core mission and activities.

Contact Universal Events Inc. today to learn more about how we can support your mission so that you don’t find your organization among the burnouts!