Burnout occurs when long-term stress overwhelms employees’ ability to cope, leading to lower productivity, negative feelings, and a diminished sense of effectiveness at work. It can also result in serious health consequences, such as insomnia and heart disease.

As substantial burnout levels persist, employers need to recognize the signs and implement preventive measures to create a healthier, more productive work environment.

Spotting Signs of Employee Burnout

Recognizing burnout is the first step toward addressing it. Check with your employees if they exhibit the following symptoms:

• Persistent tiredness and lack of energy
• Noticeable decline in productivity, creativity, and efficiency
• Feelings of disconnection from colleagues and a lack of enthusiasm for work
• Increased irritability, anxiety, and depression
• Frequent headaches, muscle pain, and other stress-related ailments

Tips for Preventing Employee Burnout

Creating a work culture that values employee well-being is essential in preventing burnout. Here are some strategies your organization can adopt:

• Encourage employees to take “micro-breaks” (e.g., stretching, five- to 10-minute walks) during the day to help lower stress.
• Establish a culture of care where workers feel comfortable discussing their stressors.
• Schedule frequent, proactive check-ins with workers to address their well-being needs.
• Train leaders to identify employees at risk of burnout and offer resources to support those affected.
• Analyze how your employees collaborate and adjust systems to enable them to work more seamlessly.
• Ensure workloads are manageable and distributed fairly.
• Be flexible and understanding with work schedules and deadlines.
• Encourage workers to use their vacation days and disconnect from work after hours.
• Provide career development programs that can keep employees motivated and reduce feelings of stagnation.
• Reinforce a positive work environment by regularly acknowledging employees’ hard work and contributions.
• Share resources and tools that can help improve mental and physical well-being.

Employee burnout is a widespread problem that can significantly impact organizations. As such, employers must reassess their strategies and prioritize employee well-being.

This HR Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

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1. Assess winter weather threats. It is essential for businesses to conduct risk assessments. This can help them identify areas that winter weather can threaten. Developing and utilizing winter preparedness checklists can assist companies in reviewing their risks, as exposures can vary by location and industry.
2. Conduct a winter inspection to protect physical location(s). A thorough inspection of a business’s physical location(s) can help prevent winter weather damage and other issues. Employers should check their roofs, drainage, windows, doors, and other outside property elements to ensure they are ready for winter and make any necessary repairs or modifications.
3. Protect pipes from freezing. Water damage from pipe bursts can cause severe property damage. To mitigate this risk, businesses should take steps to prevent their pipes from freezing. This includes unhooking outdoor hoses, draining irrigation systems, installing leak detectors, insulating pipes, and keeping indoor property temperatures at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In some circumstances, keeping a trickle of water flowing through the pipes can also help prevent freezing.
4. Check the heating system and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Having a heating system tune-up can help ensure it is working properly and ready for cold weather. It is also essential to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other fire prevention systems are installed and functioning.
5. Develop a snow and ice removal plan. Businesses should have plans to remove snow and ice to keep their properties safe and operational. Whether a company chooses to hire a contractor or complete the work itself, keeping parking lots and sidewalks clear is essential. Additionally, businesses should review the slip-and-fall hazards in and around their properties and ensure proper steps are taken to address these risks.
6. Prepare a winter weather emergency kit. Sudden, severe weather can leave employees and customers stranded at a place of business. Having an emergency kit with essentials, including food, water, blankets, and first-aid supplies, can help ensure their safety.
7. Set up a communication plan. Staff, vendors, and clients may need to be contacted on short notice in the event of winter weather. Businesses should establish plans to contact these parties, as well as contractors and emergency staff.
8. Promote winter weather driving safety. Businesses should ensure their vehicles are prepared for winter weather and promote safe winter weather driving practices. This may include having infrastructure in place so workers can stay home and work remotely if dangerous road conditions arise.
9. Back up data. Winter storms can cause unexpected power outages and businesses need to back up their data, as data loss can have significant financial and operational impacts. It may also be advisable to secure a backup generator to prepare for these situations.
10. Review insurance coverage. The change of seasons presents businesses with an opportunity to review their insurance policies. Working with a licensed insurance professional can help companies ensure they have the necessary coverage with adequate limits in place.

Being ready for winter weather requires a proactive approach. By taking steps to reduce risks, small business owners can prepare for the change in season.

The post 10 Tips to Winterize Your Business appeared first on Choice Bank.

Incorporating a regular stretching routine can help alleviate stiffness, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues. Here’s a simple stretching routine to practice every day.

Important Tips:

• Always warm up a little before starting stretches. You can do some light marching or arm circles.
• Move into each stretch slowly and gently, and never push yourself to the point of pain.
• Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times on each side.
• Breathe deeply and consistently during each stretch.

1. Neck Stretches:

1. Gently tilt your head to the right, bringing your right ear towards your right shoulder. Hold.
2. Repeat on the left side.
3. Gently tilt your head forward, chin towards your chest, to stretch the back of your neck.

2. Shoulder and Upper Back Stretch:

1. Clasp your hands in front of you, palms facing out.
2. Round your upper back, pushing your hands away and feeling a stretch between your shoulder blades.

3. Chest Opener:

1. Clasp your hands behind your back or hold onto a sturdy surface.
2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and lift your chest, feeling a stretch in the front of your shoulders and chest.

4. Seated Spinal Twist:

1. Sit tall in your chair and twist your upper body to the right, holding the back of your chair with your left hand and the armrest with your right hand.
2. Repeat on the opposite side.

5. Seated Hamstring Stretch:

1. Sit on the edge of your chair and extend one leg straight out with your heel on the floor.
2. Hinge forward slightly from your hips until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your thigh.
3. Repeat with the other leg.

6. Hip Flexor Stretch:

1. Stand beside your chair and place one foot on the seat, keeping your knee bent at a 90-degree angle.
2. Gently push your hips forward to feel a stretch in the front of your hip.
3. Repeat with the other leg.

7. Wrist and Forearm Stretch:

1. Extend one arm in front of you, palm facing down. Use the other hand to gently pull your fingers back.
2. Repeat with the palm facing up.

8. Ankle Circles:

1. Lift one foot slightly off the ground and make gentle circles with your ankle, both clockwise and counterclockwise.
2. Repeat with the other foot.

Remember that consistency is key. Try to perform this stretching routine at least once or twice during your workday. Additionally, incorporating short walks and standing breaks can further enhance your physical wellness while working in an office setting. If you have any existing health conditions or concerns, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before starting a new stretching routine.

The post The Power of Stretching appeared first on Choice Bank.

1. Are you a humble leader?
2. Are you an innovative leader?
3. Are you creating a thriving workplace for your team?

Part 1: Being A Humble Leader

To be successful in these times, our organizations need more leaders modeling key qualities like humility. This article from the Wall Street Journal, The Best Bosses Are Humble Bosses, does a great job sharing why it’s so important.

Did you know that according to several recent studies, humble leaders inspire close teamwork, rapid learning, and high performance in their teams?

In this environment of constant change, ambiguity, and complexity we continuously ask our teams to learn rapidly and to be high performers. Being a humble leader helps them perform well.

Let’s stop for just a moment and reflect on this question. Who are leaders I know who display humility?

According to the research, humble leaders do the following:

• They tend to be aware of their weaknesses.
• Are eager to improve themselves.
• Appreciate others’ strengths.
• Focus on goals beyond their self-interest.
• Fly under the radar.
• Give credit to their teams.
• Ask for help.
• Listen to feedback from others.
• Show ethical behavior.
• Avoid manipulating others.

The impact of these leadership qualities on employees? Lower turnover and lower absenteeism.

Take a moment and ask yourself, “Am I a humble leader?”

Part 2: Innovative Leadership Qualities

Do you have the qualities of an innovative leader?

According to recent quantitative research reported by McKinsey, there are roughly 20 fundamental components of leadership that correlate closely to organizational performance.

Progressive leaders who demonstrate these components are better able to support change and innovation in their organizations.

McKinsey discovered in their research that four key leadership attributes help organizations stand out and move forward at a distinctive pace.

The four attributes are Insight, Integrity, Courage, and Agility.

1. Insight helps leaders calibrate and see what matters in operations and with people.
2. Integrity helps leaders build conviction and deep trust within the organization.
3. Courage supports leaders in taking on important and challenging opportunities quickly.
4. Agility helps leaders know when they need to change course and keep going.

Here are how the 20 research-supported traits integrate with the four leadership characteristics that are seen as essential for the future by the interviewees who participated in the research.

As you read through the list to the right, do a mental assessment as to how well you demonstrate each of these traits. Then pick one or two that you’d like to strengthen.

Use this tool to assess yourself on how well you are doing with the Four Leadership Attributes and the 20 traits. Consider asking your team and manager to give you feedback as well.

Part 3 – Creating a Thriving Workplace

Gallop’s State of the Global Workforce 2022 Report is a report committed to “bringing the voices of employees to the decision-making tables.”

So my question for you: As a leader, are you helping employees THRIVE?

In the report it states only 21% of workers report they are thriving at work. Only 21 percent!

So what’s causing this? It’s simple, employee BURNOUT.

According to Gallop the 5 main causes that relate to burnout include:

1. Unfair treatment at work
2. Unmanageable workloads
3. Unclear communication from managers
4. Lack of manager support
5. Unreasonable time pressures

Can you relate? Not surprisingly the one thing all five causes have in common: The Boss! Bosses are so impactful that Gallop can predict 70% of the variance in team engagement just by getting to know the boss. Wow!

The good news? We can make a difference and change! Gallop states to have employees thrive – there are 6 things managers need to do consistently.

6 Things Managers Need To Do Consistently

1. Help them learn and grow
2. Recognize them for doing great work
3. Listen
4. Coach them
5. Collaborate
6. Make them feel truly cared about.

That sounds pretty refreshing to me! It’s not hard. It’s just different from what many managers are doing across the world.

I’ve worked with leaders who understand the importance of thriving cultures and want help getting there. I can tell you for those committed to learning, the results have been amazing. Not only more smiling, but more collaboration, more innovation, and better business outcomes.

What it takes for each of your direct reports to thrive, might look a little different. Think about each one of your direct reports, then make notes below to help you connect with each of them in a personal way. Use this tool to help you.
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This blog was contributed by Dr. Rita Webster, founder of WiseLeader. WiseLeader is an executing coaching service with thoughtful leadership programming, such as Executive Coaching for Women, Next Level Leadership, Women’s Roundtables, Executive Team Coaching, Career and Transition Coaching. View the original blog here.

View Rita’s free on-demand discussion on imposter syndrome in the workplace here. 

The post Leadership Qualities Needed In Today’s Work Environment appeared first on Choice Bank.

For travelers, these home rental apps are a convenient platform that provides affordable and flexible alternatives to hotels. For property owners and tenants, the service easily connects various rental units with prospective occupants and makes collecting payments simple and secure. For the average homeowner, properties or spare rooms that are otherwise vacant can easily be transformed into a source of income.

Despite their convenience and the potential for profit, home rental apps are not without their risks for those who decide to list accommodations.

Potential Insurance Gaps

If you are considering renting your property through a service like Airbnb or Vrbp, your first step should be to contact your insurance broker to review your current homeowners or renters insurance policy. Relying strictly on such policies while hosting guests can lead to significant gaps in coverage and leave you financially vulnerable.

While your homeowners or renters policy may allow you to rent your property to a guest, it is important to keep in mind that each insurer has its own restrictions and requirements. For example, some insurers may require advanced notice of any short-term rental, whereas others might insist that you purchase an endorsement to broaden your coverage.

Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies are designed for personal risks, not commercial use. If you plan to rent out your residence on a regular basis, many insurance companies will consider this commercial use. In many cases, regular Airbnb hosts will need to obtain a commercial insurance policy in order to be properly insured. It should be noted that a growing number of insurance companies now offer home-sharing liability insurance policies that can be purchased on a month-to-month basis

Even more alarming, your homeowners or renters policy most likely won’t consider damage to your property caused by guests a covered peril. This means you could be left to cover the cost of property damage caused by rental guests.

Issues with Airbnb Provided Protection

Airbnb, in particular, does offer its hosts two forms of protection through its host guarantee program and host protection insurance. While hosts may be inclined to rely exclusively on these programs to manage their risks, there are significant gaps related to these offerings.

Host Guarantee

Airbnb backs every one of its bookings with its host guarantee program at no cost. Airbnb claims that this program will reimburse eligible hosts for damages up to $1 million. However, Airbnb readily admits that its host guarantee is not insurance and should not be considered a replacement or stand-in for homeowners or renters insurance.

Moreover, payments through the host guarantee are subject to a lengthy list of terms, conditions, and exclusions. Therefore, hosts should be aware of the following issues related to Airbnb’s host guarantee:

• Hosts must attempt to resolve any issues with the guests involved prior to receiving any compensation. This also means that a host would have to make a claim on his or her own insurance policy before Airbnb would intervene.
• Any sum collected from a standard policy or a security deposit would be deducted from the host guarantee.
• The guarantee will only repair or replace the covered property that is damaged during the time frame of an online booking.
• This guarantee does not cover certain items including, but not limited to, cash, collectibles, jewelry, pets, watercraft, or any damage to property that is not considered a covered accommodation.

For more information on specific elements of Airbnb’s host guarantee program, hosts can review its terms and conditions in full here.

Host Protection Insurance

In addition to its host guarantee program, Airbnb offers coverage to its patrons through its host protection insurance. Airbnb indicates that the program provides primary liability coverage for up to $1 million per occurrence in the event of third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage. Despite Airbnb’s claims, hosts should be wary of relying solely on this insurance program for several reasons:

• Intentional acts that aren’t the result of an accident are not covered under this policy. In addition, Airbnb’s home protection insurance does not cover what it refers to as property issues, which can include things like mold, asbestos, and bedbugs.
• Neither Airbnb’s home protection insurance nor its fine print is readily available for review. What’s more, the policy is subject to limitations, conditions, and exclusions. Together, this means that specifics around coverages are vague, and Airbnb hosts may not know what’s protected.
• The personal property of any guest is generally not covered. Additionally, any theft or damage caused by a guest may not be covered either.

With Airbnb’s host protection insurance, it’s best to assume that you aren’t equipped with the proper coverage. For full protection, it is likely that you will need to speak with an insurance professional to better understand the policy adjustments you will need to be fully covered.

Considerations for Condo Owners and Renters

While home rental services open their services to condo owners and renters, multi-unit buildings often have restrictive bylaws, homeowner association rules, or lease terms that could impact one’s ability to host guests through Airbnb.

In many instances, commercial activities like renting out accommodations—even for a short period of time—are forbidden by lease or condo board policies. In some cases, hosts will need to contact their landlord or condo board before subletting or renting out any accommodations. Failure to do this can result in eviction or other forms of legal action.

Even if you are allowed to rent out your condo or apartment, hosts should be aware that doing so can cause tension with neighbors. There’s the potential that your guests may not be respectful to property in common areas, act inappropriately or noisily, or make other tenants feel uncomfortable.

Local Laws and Considerations

In response to the rising popularity of home rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, many states, cities, and towns are moving to regulate short-term property rentals through their municipal codes or zoning regulations. In some cases, home rental services could be prohibited altogether.

If you break these local regulations, purposely or otherwise, you could face thousands of dollars in fines. What’s more, Airbnb says alignment with laws and regulations is the responsibility of those renting out accommodations. Accordingly, it is imperative to review local laws and regulations before you commit to using Airbnb to rent out accommodations.

The Bottom Line

While home rental platforms offer a unique and potentially profitable service to users, they are not without their faults. Before you decide to try it for yourself, be sure to consider all of the risks.

Again, you’ll want to minimize potential financial fallout by purchasing the appropriate insurance coverage. To discuss your options further, contact your insurance agent today.

The post Common Exposures All Airbnb Hosts Should Consider appeared first on Choice Bank.

We are experiencing the biggest remote work experiment in history – but many are beginning to imagine life after lockdown. Amid unprecedented global job losses, concerns about transport infrastructure, and the continuing need for workplace social distancing, governments are launching back-to-work plans.

Meanwhile, the latest US research reveals that 74% of businesses want some workers to permanently work remotely and business leaders are actively shedding leased office space – hinting that not everyone will go back to the office.

Here are five key trends that will shape the future of how we work.

1. Commuting will change forever

We might miss the social interaction of the office, but most don’t miss commuting. This was one of the key findings in my four-year remote work study.

Before lockdown, US commute times reached record levels and most UK workers spent more than a year of their lives traveling to and from work. People tell me that a hybrid strategy of working from home two days a week is one ideal scenario.

Those eager to go back to the office will have to wait. Many will need to work from home for weeks or months to come. The situation is fluid, but governments are drawing up plans for workers to stagger working times, so public transport is not overwhelmed.

The genie is out of the bottle, and commuting is not going back to how it was.

2. Bad email etiquette won’t be tolerated

Workplace communication is rapidly transforming and email is a case in point. More than ever, creating a clear separation between work and leisure time is vital.

Research repeatedly shows that sending out-of-hours emails is not only bad etiquette – but creates a coercive work culture that requires people to be available 24/7. Social scientists argue this turns us into worker/smartphone hybrids and causes stress and burnout. Expecting quick answers to email is increasingly seen as bullying.

Many now realize that colleagues might need to work flexibly due to caring responsibilities. Lockdown has encouraged a new acceptance of flexibility. But this shouldn’t extend to having a culture that expects people to be available all the time.

3. Video calls will be limited

Zoom calls will remain part of our lives – but we will change and adapt how we use them. Research shows that video calls are more draining and tiring than in-person meetings.

While video calls are appropriate for some meetings, we don’t need to use them for all our communication. Research suggests many are shifting back to phone calls – which as one manager explained to me “feels more spontaneous and flows better.”

4. More co-working spaces will emerge

Workers forced to continue working from cramped living spaces are desperate for alternatives. When lockdown lifts they will turn to the cafes and co-working spaces that are still in business. Before COVID-19 hit, co-working spaces were projected to increase more than 40% worldwide.

The paradox of remote working is that people crave the flexibility but know that being around others boosts productivity. My research shows that over time remote workers crave the physical closeness that comes with just being alongside other people. It’s exactly why in 2017 IBM pulled many employees back into the office, despite having previously published a 2014 white paper in support of remote working.

Local co-working spaces, as opposed to big investor-funded brands such as WeWork, will do well. Independent co-working spaces in some areas were thriving before COVID-19 – they may become more mainstream if they survive lockdown.

5. Could we become part-time digital nomads?

Digital nomads are extreme remote workers that post Instagram stories from exotic locations. Right now, that lifestyle seems unrelatable, impossible, and to many unethical.

Nonetheless, many decently paid workers in New York, London, and Paris are stuck in uncomfortably small flats, dreaming of escape from lockdown. As a housing manager recently confided to me: “London living without nightlife and culture, isn’t fun. Everyone wants to escape to somewhere outdoorsy when allowed. I’m not sure I approve but it’s understandable.”

For now, remote working from different locations is not allowed. But the allure of relocating to a picturesque location remains and Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, is banking on it. He sees COVID-19 as a business opportunity and told Bloomberg: “People are realizing they can work remote … that’s a huge opportunity.”

Not all will agree – it could cause long-term sustainability issues – and many will not have this privilege. But when lockdown fully lifts, who’s to say more people will not work remotely from different parts of the world beyond their living rooms.
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Author

Dave Cook, PhD Researcher, Anthropology, UCL

Disclosure statement

Dave Cook does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article was prepared by RSW Publishing.

LPL Tracking 01-05013569

The post Five Workplace Trends That Will Shape Life After Lockdown appeared first on Choice Bank.

Emily Wieck—Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau, ND

“Reading the words ‘lake cabin’ transports me to childhood summers of packing up the whole family (dogs included), and making the 9-hour trek to our family cabin, built in 1934. It conjures memories of an old green cabin filled with decades-old treasures, an old outhouse cleared of spider webs for us to explore, lack of running water-necessitating boiled water pumped from the lake to wash dishes, and

counting out the exact change needed to buy an ice cream cone at the Lake Metigoshe Drive-In. If those walls could speak, they would tell stories of children dancing to songs played on a 1915 windup phonograph, memories made without the distraction of TV or internet, and dozens of smiles, declaring aloud that this little old cabin is their ‘favorite place on this earth.'”

Brent Thielges—Twin Lakes, LaMoure, ND

“My family and I have loved lake life for as long as I can remember, so when the opportunity arose we hired a house mover to pick up our 2 ½ story home (originally built as a farm house in the 1880s) and moved it to a quiet lake near where I grew up and first learned to water ski as a young boy. Living on the lake full-time never gets old. You can decide to boat, fish, jet ski, or kayak on a whim. The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely amazing and never taken for granted.”

The post Timeless Treasures appeared first on Choice Bank.