Are you feeling burnt out, overworked, and underappreciated? You're not alone. The rise of smaller teams in the workplace is pushing workers to the brink, and it's time we talk about the real consequences of this trend. Rapid burnout cycles.

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It starts innocently enough. Companies looking to cut costs reduce their workforce without adjusting workload, leaving their remaining employees to pick up the slack. But what seems like a simple cost-saving measure can quickly spiral out of control, leading to a domino effect of negative consequences.

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With fewer resources and staff, employees are expected to do more with less. But as their workload increases, their stress levels rise, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and even mental health issues. It's a slippery slope, and once you start down it, it's tough to reverse course.

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But it's not just the employees who suffer. The quality of work can suffer, too. With overworked and stressed employees, mistakes become more common, and deadlines are missed. The end result is frustration for everyone involved, and it's a lose-lose situation for all.

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A burnout cycle in a team occurs when team members become overworked and overwhelmed, leading to exhaustion, frustration, and demotivation. This can be a result of a heavy workload, unrealistic deadlines, or lack of support and resources. When team members are caught in a burnout cycle, they may struggle to perform their job effectively, leading to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and high turnover rates.

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It's not all doom and gloom, though. There are steps companies can take to reverse the trend and prevent burnout. One option is to invest in automation and technology to streamline tasks and reduce the workload on employees. This can help to minimize the risk of errors and improve the quality of work.

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Another option is to bring in temporary staff or outsource tasks to third-party contractors to alleviate the workload on existing team members. While this may require an initial investment, the long-term benefits of maintaining a healthy and productive workforce are well worth it.

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But it's not just about the bottom line. It's about creating a supportive work environment that encourages open communication and employee feedback. Our goal with Ollie mental health credits is to be that support for all team members. Because work stress can cause deeply personal problems. Having access to a remote therapist 24/7, AND knowing that all live therapy sessions are anonymous. That’s an important support system to build into smaller teams.

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So, let's not ignore the elephant in the room. Shrinking teams are a real problem, but it's not insurmountable. By taking proactive steps to manage our teams effectively, we can create a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce that benefits both our employees and our organization as a whole.

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Don't let burnout be the norm. It can cost the company growth in the long-term. Measuring potential employee burnout and other mental health data should be more than just a box to tick for teams.

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