Luke Smith
Supply chain employees mean so much to our economy but as a group they’re suffering from burnout –– and for good reason. They’re navigating heavy workloads, long hours, inefficient technology, constant pressure to meet demands, and inadequate health and wellness support.
Additionally, the global electronics supply chain has encountered an unprecedented series of disruptions during the past two years.
Addressing burnout in supply chain management is critical because worn-out employees don’t perform at their best, which disrupts the operation’s workflow and overall success. Employees and management have a role in addressing burnout in supply chain management. Let’s talk more about this below.
Burnout manifests as physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that results in diminished work performance, motivation, and engagement.
Working in a high-pressure industry like supply chain management can cause chronic stress that has workers constantly on edge. In addition, those in supply chain roles are often overworked and strained due to the increased commerce demand, leading to more burnt-out employees.
Mitigating burnout and bettering the work conditions for supply chain employees starts with them. Employees must take responsibility for their own mental health and wellness.
Employees need to communicate their wellness needs and suggestions for accommodating them. They should set boundaries at work and speak up when toxicity threatens their productivity and peace of mind.
They must also work on their holistic health outside of work. Practicing gratitude and self-compassion to cope with workplace stress, implementing daily self-care, and attending therapy are great places to start. While this should be encouraged, managers and leaders also have a crucial role in addressing workplace burnout.
Supply chain managers and company leaders are critical in mitigating burnout in the workplace because they are the decision-makers. Employees can address their personal burnout. But as far as making changes in the workplace, they must go through higher-ups.
In addition, a healthy workplace starts from the top down. If managers have a “get it done at all costs” attitude, they will create a workplace that supports that. On the other hand, if managers value healthy employees over everything, the workplace they create will support that.
To better accommodate the needs of their employees and minimize burnout, managers can start with optimizing the office for wellness. For example, create a rooftop space to give employees access to more natural light and fresh air. Or, bring standup desks, plants, and healthy snacks and drinks into the warehouse.
The following can also ensure managers are helping to mitigate burnout:
As employees and managers do their part in addressing burnout, they must also work together to create a positive workplace culture.
The individual roles managers and employees play in eliminating burnout in the logistics industry are incredibly important. Working together is just as critical.
Burnout is most often the result of toxic workplace behavior. It can even drive many of your employees to want to call it quits. That’s why creating a positive company culture is critical. It leaves no room for negative behavior that impacts your supply chain work.
It’s much easier to develop a healthy workplace culture when everyone is on board and willing to help. Thus, supply chain managers and employees must work together to dismantle toxicity and create a company culture rooted in health, wellness, and support.
A positive workplace culture looks like:
A collaborative effort from employees and managers can help the above culture become a reality in any supply chain management workplace.
Burnout in supply chain management is real. It will only increase if employees and managers don’t do their part in eradicating it from the workplace. The tips above will guide the actions of workers and managers so that their efforts produce a better workplace culture and support initiatives for supply chain burnout.
Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. Since finishing college he is trying his hand at being a freelance writer. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but technology and business topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or gaming.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Post comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Advertisement
Advertisement
EPS NEWS
HOME ABOUT MEDIA KIT EPS PURCHASING SURVEY CONTACT US SITE MAP PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF SERVICE CALIFORNIA DO NOT SELL
Copyright © 2022 by AspenCore, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
