WORKING-FROM-HOME BURNOUT

FOR SALESPEOPLE, THE DEMANDS OF THE CONNECTED WORKPLACE HAVE LARGELY ELIMINATED BOUNDARIES BETWEEN PERSONAL AND WORK LIFE.

THIS ALLOWS STRESS FROM PERSONAL ISSUES TO SPILL OVER INTO THEIR WORK.

RESEARCHERS EXPLORED A SAMPLE OF 331 SALESPEOPLE TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF STRESS IN A DIGITALLY CONNECTED WORK ENVIRONMENT.

THEY FOUND THAT STRESSORS THAT CROSS BOUNDARIES INTO THE WORKPLACE PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE FORMATION OF BURNOUT, AND THIS LEADS TO REDUCED SALESPERSON PERFORMANCE.

IN THE US, EMPLOYEE STRESS COSTS ORGANIZATIONS OVER $300 BILLION ANNUALLY – LONG-TERM CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS ARE AFFECTED BY STRESS.

IN RESPONSE, EMPLOYERS CAN CONSIDER OFFERING PROGRAMMES TO HELP SALESPEOPLE MANAGE THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH, RELATIONSHIPS, AND FINANCES IN POSITIVE WAYS.

MANAGERS CAN BE TRAINED TO IDENTIFY SIGNS THAT AN EMPLOYEE MAY BE DEALING WITH HEALTH, RELATIONSHIP OR FINANCIAL STRESS.

SEE RESEARCH REVIEW ON PAGE 33 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PAPER FROM THE JOURNAL OF BUSINESS RESEARCH.