Causes of burnout and what you do about it as an employer

Burnout is not only a personal problem, it is also a major risk for employers. Recent research by TNO and CBS (2024) shows that 1 in 5 employees (21%) suffers from burnout symptoms. The consequences are huge: according to ArboNed, a burnout leads to an average of 8 months sick leave, costing companies €60,000 per employee.

Workload and work stress are the biggest causes of long-term absenteeism in the Netherlands (NEA, 2024). The impact is not only financial; an unhealthy work culture leads to lower productivity, more turnover and a worse working atmosphere.

As an employer you want motivated and healthy employees. But how do you prevent workload and stress from leading to people dropping out? What are the main causes of burnout? And above all: what can you do about it?

In this blog you will discover:

• The 5 biggest causes of burnout within organisations
• Why employers play a key role in burnout prevention
• Practical tips and tools to prevent burnout

🚀 Want to reduce burnout in your organisation? Read on and discover how, as an employer, you can get a grip on workload and stress.

The 5 biggest causes of burnout

Burnout does not just happen. It is often a combination of high workload, prolonged stress and insufficient recovery. As an employer you have influence on these factors. Here are the 5 biggest causes of burnout in organisations, and what you can do about them.

1️⃣ Excessive workload and stress

🔹 Problem:

Many employees structurally have too many tasks, tight deadlines and high expectations. This causes chronic stress, keeping the body constantly in fight-or-flight mode. In the long run the nervous system becomes exhausted, with burnout as a result.

📊 Fact: According to TNO (2024), 45% of employees name workload as their main source of stress.

🔹 What can you do as an employer?

✅ Measure workload with regular surveys or AI tools such as Deepler.

✅ Divide tasks more smartly and set realistic deadlines.

✅ Give more autonomy: let employees manage their own planning.

2️⃣ Lack of autonomy and control

🔹 Problem:

Employees who have little say in their work experience stress and exhaustion more often. This applies especially to organisations with micromanagement or a strict hierarchy.

📊 Fact: Research shows that low autonomy increases the risk of burnout by 40%.

🔹 What can you do as an employer?

✅ Give more ownership: let employees make their own decisions.

✅ Less micromanagement: focus on output instead of control.

✅ Use feedback loops: ask employees what they need.

3️⃣ Poor work-life balance

🔹 Problem:

Because of working from home and constant availability, the line between work and private life is blurring. As a result employees get less rest and the risk of chronic stress grows.

📊 Fact: ArboPortaal reports that 36% of employees check emails outside working hours, which leads to increased stress.

🔹 What can you do as an employer?

✅ Clear work agreements: encourage out-of-office moments.

✅ Flexible working hours: leave room for a healthy balance.

✅ Adjust the work culture: stop the always-available mentality.

4️⃣ Unhealthy company culture

🔹 Problem:

A harsh, competitive culture in which employees do not feel safe increases stress and dropout. This happens especially in organisations where high performance pressure and little appreciation are the norm.

📊 Fact: Our own research shows that a poor working atmosphere is a stronger predictor of burnout than workload itself.

🔹 What can you do as an employer?

✅ Create a safe working atmosphere: encourage open communication.

✅ Train managers: help managers recognise signs of stress.

✅ Show appreciation: make recognition and feedback a fixed part of the work.

5️⃣ Lack of recognition and appreciation

🔹 Problem:

Employees burn out faster when they feel that their efforts are not seen or appreciated. This leads to low motivation, cynicism and emotional exhaustion.

📊 Fact: According to TNO (2023), 1 in 3 employees feels that their work is not appreciated, which contributes to burnout symptoms.

🔹 What can you do as an employer?

✅ Give regular feedback and appreciation.

✅ Provide growth opportunities within the organisation.

✅ Encourage a positive culture by celebrating successes.

Preventing burnout: what can an employer do?

Preventing burnout is easier and cheaper than reintegrating an employee who has been ill for a long time. As an employer you play a crucial role in this. With the right strategies and adjustments you can reduce workload and create a healthy working environment.

Here are 5 proven methods to prevent burnout in your organisation:

✅ Measure workloadand intervene in time.

✅ Train managers in stress management.

✅ Create a healthy work culture without excessive performance pressure.

✅ Introduce flexible working models to improve work-life balance.

✅ Encourage recovery and relaxation within the organisation.

By actively focusing on prevention, you create a productive, healthy and engaged team.

Want to prevent burnout in your organisation? WithDeepler’s AI-driven workload measurementsyou getreal-time insightinto stress levels and their main causes.

🔹Request a free demo and discover how to build a healthier work culture!

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