Every manager wants his subordinates to work hard. But this makes it all the more important for him to make sure that his people are not overworked. He should help them to plan their time better and remind them how important rest is. As is well-known, tiredness destroys morale and can lead to accidents and illness. So what should you pay special attention to?
First of all, take note of whether there is increased nervousness or unusual behaviour among your subordinates. Pay attention if they are shouting at each other, or even at you, more often than usual. Likewise, be alert if they start to behave unusually hyperactively or, on the other hand, unusually dejectedly. This could be the first sign of depression.
Another warning signal is sleepiness. If your people look as though they are about to fall asleep at their work, give them a break or talk to them about the causes and recommend more rest after work.
A less obvious sign of exhaustion among employees could be, for example, a loss of appetite. Long-term stress also affects our eating habits. As soon as you notice that your employees are not having snacks or are not eating lunch, talk to them about whether they have time to eat at work. Emphasise how important that is and that it is not in your interest for them to work without a break.
A manager who notices how exhausted his team is and who knows that this is due to an excessive work-rate should offer active support. This not only means talking about how important rest is but especially listening. Try to look around and find an answer to the question about what you can do so that your people can cope better with an increasing workload.
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