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Re-igniting the Engine: Preventing Driver Burnout & Enhancing Driver Retention. CalACT Spring Conference & EXPO Presented by: Russ Parish April 2019. This is the story of Steve…. When Steve first started with Public Transit, he loved his job!
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Re-igniting the Engine:Preventing Driver Burnout & Enhancing Driver Retention CalACT Spring Conference & EXPO Presented by: Russ Parish April 2019
This is the story of Steve… • When Steve first started with Public Transit, he loved his job! • He went into work every day filled with purpose and passion, and he was excited about the difference he could make in his new role.
This is the story of Steve… • Three years later, however, it's hard to recognize him. Now, Steve dreads going to work. • He feels as if his work is meaningless, he's always detached and aloof, and he calls in sick frequently. • He gets upset easily and lashes out at his passengers. • Stress + Exhaustion + Long Term Disillusionment =
What’s the difference? Stress • Characterized by over- engagement • Emotions are over-reactive • Produces urgency and hyperactivity Burnout • Characterized by disengagement • Emotions are blunted • Produces helplessness and hopelessness • Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope
The Results Stress Burnout • Leads to anxiety disorders • Primary damage is physical • May kill you prematurely • Leads to detachment and depression • Primary damage is emotional • May make life seem not worth living – may lead to suicide
What causes job Burnout? • Lack of control • Unclear job expectations • Dysfunctional workplace dynamics • Mismatch in values • Poor job fit • Extremes of activity • Lack of social support • Work-life imbalance • Depersonalization • Reduced personal accomplishment • Emotional exhaustion
Burnout - PhysicalWarning Signs & Symptoms • Feeling tired and drained • Lowered immunity; feeling sick • Frequent headaches, back pain, muscle aches • Change in appetite or sleep habits • Chest pain, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, or heart palpitations. (Make sure that you see a physician about these!)
Burnout – EmotionalWarning Signs & Symptoms • Sense of failure & self doubt • Feeling helpless, trapped, and defeated • Detachment; feeling alone • Loss of motivation • Cynical & negative outlook • Decreased satisfaction & sense of accomplishment
Burnout - BehavioralWarning Signs & Symptoms • Withdrawing from responsibilities • Isolating yourself • Procrastinating • Using food, drugs, or alcohol to cope • Taking out frustrations on others • Skipping work, being late, leaving early
You may be on the road to Burnout if: • Every day is a bad day. • Caring about your work or home life seems like a total waste of energy. • You’re exhausted all the time. • The majority of your day is spent on tasks you find either mind-numbingly dull or overwhelming. • You feel like nothing you do makes a difference or is appreciated.
Do you have Burnout? Take this 15 Question Self-Test and find out. Be honest!
Score • 15-18 No sign of burnout • 19-32 Little sign of burnout, unless some factors are particularly severe • 33-49 Be careful – You may be at risk of burnout, particularly if several scores are high • 50-59 You are at severe risk of burnout – do something about this urgently • 60-75 You are at very severe risk of burnout – do something urgently. Are you in the right job?
Strategies for combating job Burnout • Identify the cause • Create balance • Your physical health • Time out! • Address it • Talk it out • Breathe
What do you do to recover from Burnout? Small Groups (3-4) • Select spokesperson • Make a list of things that work for you? What are you doing right now that help you avoid job burnout? • Share with class
Your proactive Action Plan to prevent Burnout • Disconnect • Pay attention to your body’s signals • Schedule relaxation • Stay away from sleeping pills • Get organized • Take regular breaks during the workday • Lean on your support system - -from Travis Bradberry, author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0
A Driver’s job is stressful on a typical day • Isolation from co-workers • Little input into schedules/routes • Constant time pressure & delays • Answering lots of questions • Assisting many types of people, including difficult ones • Challenging situations and conditions
Why should we care about Burnout? • An employee who feels burnout has more health problems. • This can cause higher insurance premiums and more absenteeism (which hits the bottom line.) • Burnout also leads to less engagement, lower productivity and higher turnover. • Poor management styles can also lead to Burnout. • What are YOU doing to make the situation worse, not better.
How to “Fix” employee Burnout • First, ask the employee what they think the problem is and really listen with an open mind. • The problems may not be so big and could be within your ability to correct or improve. • For example, it could be a unclear directions or expectations or a loud co-worker.
Tips to reduce employee Burnout • Monitor work load; beware falling into the trap of piling your best employees with too much work for too long. Even superstars have limits. • Give consistent feedback; lack of appreciation and recognition leads to frustration. • Encourage employees to unplug and take their earned vacation/personal time. DO NOT call on days off! • Consider temporary or even permanent job changes when an employee asks for variety.
Tips to reduce Burnout, cont’d • Reduce or revise onerous procedures if they are causes frustration. • Provide training for new supervisors. • Review pay structure. Adequate pay does not prevent burnout, but inadequate wages can mean employees feel an imbalance between the rewards of work and its stresses. • Show your appreciation, especially at particularly busy times – bring in breakfast or pizza.
Tips to reduce Burnout, cont’d • Establish an outside volunteer activity during work hours, not on the weekend, to encourage team building. • If your company offers Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, remind everyone of its availability and encourage its use. If you do not current have it, seriously look into offering the service through a local community counseling provider. Stress the confidential nature of this benefit.
Bringing it all together • If these strategies don’t seem to work and your employee continues to show signs of Burnout and stress, then the problem might be the job. • The wrong job can cause Burnout in and of itself. • Ultimately, the employee must decide what is more important: WORK or their HEALTH
A Successful Driver possesses… • Knowledge • Skill • Anticipation / Defensive Driving • Self-Discipline • Good Attitude
Conclusion • Life is stressful. • Burnout happens to many people for many reasons. • There are strategies that we can use to lessen Burnout. • Managers and supervisors can significantly address Burnout in employees. • It is in the best interest of the company to identify employees who are feel Burnout and help them recognize and manage the stressors that lead to Burnout. • Sometimes the best solution is A CHANGE.
Remember • Life can be difficult and complicated. • No one can live your life and what works for others may not work for you. • Take one thing at a time. No one ate an elephant in one bite.
