Many Filipinos offer freelance or virtual assistant services in the Philippines as they see the surge in need for VA services and the advantages of such services. Among the benefits of being a Filipino virtual assistant is that they can work remotely and have more freedom with their time. However, while working from home might be advantageous for most parts, it can also have drawbacks for employees working in a remote setup.
According to various studies, employees working from home experience are more likely to experience burnout compared to employees working on-site. Burnout is a state or form of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that is caused by various factors.
An overloaded workload is one of the leading causes of work burnout. It can be debilitating, leaving employees with low energy and decreased resistance to illness. Work overload can also cause employers to lose talented employees, meaning they may have to keep hiring new staff to fill vacant positions. As stipulated by the American Institute of Stress, about 80 percent of managers report being stressed at work, with long work hours topping the list. Stress can lead to poor health and an unhealthy sense of competition among co-workers.
When employees are overworked, their performance suffers. In fact, it has been found that overworked employees are less likely to produce quality work, which hurts their performance. Although working long hours at breakneck speeds may win them a few accolades, failing to consistently deliver high-quality work can hurt their productivity and earnings. So, it’s important to recognize the effects of overworked employees on your career.
Moreover, another factor that can cause work burnout is chronic stress. If you feel emotionally and physically exhausted, you may be suffering from chronic stress. Symptoms of burnout include lack of energy and satisfaction with work. In some cases, physical exhaustion can be so severe that it can lead to a physical condition called musculoskeletal pain or cardiovascular disease. However, you don’t have to suffer from these symptoms to be at risk for burnout. You should know that there are ways to reduce the symptoms of burnout and keep them at bay.
The first step to combating chronic stress is to recognize it. You and your employer should try to identify it and provide assistance to alleviate it. Similarly, your employer should develop a policy that encourages employee input and hire a human resources manager to assist with this. Take regular breaks and refuel yourself, and set clear boundaries between your work and personal life. If work-related stress affects your personal life, you may want to consider a career change.
Learn more about the causes of burnout from working from home and how to combat them. Read the infographic from OVA Virtual to know more about the matter.
