A critical tool for HR professionals is their ability to exercise empathy for employees and their families. However, the downside of maintaining such a sustained level of compassion is the almost inevitable exhaustion that comes as a result. They can be left feeling depleted and, in some cases, may even start mentally detaching from their day to day altogether. This is what’s known as compassion fatigue.
The risk of compassion fatigue to HR departments has always been cause for concern, but during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic, the phenomenon reached new heights.
Of 520 people surveyed in a study by Workvivo in late 2021, 71% of respondents reported not feeling valued at their companies. 78% considered leaving their jobs altogether, while a whopping 98% shared they were struggling with feeling burnt out.
And that’s why we’re talking about this today. We all want to move on from talking about the pandemic, but it dropped a massive bomb on professionals’ emotional lives and employee experience, especially in HR. The ripples are still there, and much of the impact is still unaddressed. HR professionals need to know they are heard, and employers need to understand what they’re team is struggling with.
Simply going through the motions at work isn’t a healthy or effective coping strategy for anyone, especially those in the business of caring for others. So, how can you protect yourself and your team from succumbing to compassion fatigue?
We’re going to help you understand . . .
- What compassion fatigue is.
- Why the pandemic caused it to skyrocket.
- How to manage its effects.
What is Compassion Fatigue?
Everybody’s heard of classic burnout, but many aren’t familiar with the concept of compassion fatigue. They’re pretty similar, but while burnout often results from having too much work or too many responsibilities on your own plate, compassion fatigue actually stems from too much helping others.
People suffering from compassion fatigue may want to continue helping everyone, but they will quickly become overwhelmed at the attempt. They may even experience secondary traumatic stress from being constantly faced with others’ own trauma.
How Covid Made It Worse
In HR, where core job duties involve taking care of others, there’s always been a high risk that your team will find themselves wrestling with compassion fatigue.
However, the unprecedented and unpredictable effects Covid-19 had on business shifted those risks into overdrive. Here’s why.
- Health concerns- HR teams had their hands full navigating an unexpectedly unsafe world for both themselves and their loved ones. They had an entire company of people looking to HR to guide them through their own uncertainty and fear. It was a lot for anyone to juggle.
- Mastering new procedures- In addition to trying to stay safe and healthy themselves, HR teams were suddenly tasked with finding ways for businesses to pivot and reimagine their office culture. Many HR pros were expected to become instant experts on brand new technology and procedures (Zoom meetings, anyone?).
- Constant change– As if learning new tech and systems on the go wasn’t enough, keeping up with ever-changing procedures was almost impossible. As the pandemic dragged on, temporary measures needed to evolve and change into a new normal. New policies needed to be created and implemented. HR teams were expected to move quickly, often working at a totally unsustainable pace just to keep the gears moving day to day.
- Layoffs- It’s no secret that Covid lockdowns were devastating for many businesses, resulting in record numbers of employee layoffs. While letting valued team members go is always taxing, having to break the news over and over again can feel crushing.
- Constant connection- One of the things many companies learned during Covid lockdowns was how easy it is to connect as a team from the comfort of our own homes. It was great for business, but being just a click away at all times makes it very difficult to separate home life from work life. Feeling that kind of constant pressure takes a tremendous mental toll.
- The emotional element– All of the technical aspects aside, the most devastating effect the pandemic had on HR pros was the extreme emotional toll. Companies needed to remain in business in order to provide resources and healthcare for their people. It was literally a matter of life and death to ensure that employees were able to keep business going while staying safe at home. That’s a tremendous responsibility for anyone to carry, no matter how skilled they are.
What are some symptoms to look out for?
One of the main roles of an HR pro is guiding clients and colleagues on the importance of self – care. Sadly, many will ignore their own advice, especially during times of high-stress. You HR team may still be in emotional overdrive without even realizing it.
Since everyone is different, compassion fatigue won’t look the same on everyone. But there are some common symptoms you can keep an eye out for in yourself and your team.
- Increased anxiety
- Decreased productivity and ability to focus
- No longer demonstrating care for employees
- Detachment, emotional numbing
- Disconnecting from close relationships
- Increased alcohol and drug abuse
- A sense of hopelessness
- Feeling alone
- Feeling helpless or trapped
If you’re feeling any of these symptoms or notice any amongst your team, there are several strategies you can utilize to help manage compassion fatigue.
Compassion Fatigue Management Strategies
Here are some action items you can pass on to employees who seem to be struggling. We also recommend giving them access to counseling and professional care and encouraging them to take advantage of it.
- Control your calendar – It’s so easy to say yes to too many things when you’re concerned about the well being of your team. Don’t overschedule yourself. Some things simply have to wait.
- Set boundaries protecting your work/life balance – Whether that means not answering emails even a minute past 5 or disconnecting completely during your lunch break, it’s your right to have personal time. It’s also up to you to guard that time.
- Take a break and leave the building – Don’t rush through your breaks. Get outside for a walk or at least a bit of fresh air during the day, especially if you work from home.
- If possible, work hybrid! – Working from home has a myriad of conveniences, but it can also blur the line between work and home. Performing some duties in office, like taking meetings in person, will help reenforce your work/life boundaries.
- Exercise – Moving your body is great for both your physical and mental health!
- Talk it out – Always taking care of others can feel like a great burden, and you shouldn’t have to carry it alone. Talk about your feelings with your support network, be it a loved one, mental health professional or colleagues that just “get it”.
For an even deeper dive into this topic, you can listen to this episode from Xenium’s Transform Your Workplace podcast.
Also, many of our case studies feature stories about how businesses dealt with the stress and challenges of the pandemic, especially the pages featuring Denton Plastics, Stevens IS, and Latino Network.
At Xenium, we truly understand how it feels to care deeply for your team. We partner with you to protect your employees, master the human touch, and pull everything together into a positive workplace culture that generates productivity and provides support for your team.
Schedule a call here to learn how Xenium’s HR support transforms the human resources experience for both you and the people under your care.