The Burnout Watchlist helps you identify team members who may be at risk of burnout by tracking leave patterns. Early intervention can protect your team's wellbeing and productivity.
What Is the Burnout Watchlist?
The Burnout Watchlist is a feature that automatically identifies team members who:
- Haven't taken annual leave for an extended period
- Have significant unused leave remaining
- Show patterns suggesting they may be overworking
It's designed to help managers proactively support their teams rather than reacting after burnout occurs.
Why Burnout Monitoring Matters
Employee burnout can lead to:
- Reduced productivity – Exhausted employees work less effectively
- Increased absence – Eventually leading to stress-related sick leave
- Higher turnover – Burned-out employees are more likely to leave
- Lower morale – Affects team dynamics and culture
- Health issues – Physical and mental health can suffer
Regular leave is essential for rest, recovery, and maintaining long-term performance.
Accessing the Watchlist
To view the Burnout Watchlist:
- Go to Analytics from the Admin section
- Look for the Burnout Watchlist section or tab
- You'll see a list of team members flagged as potentially at risk
The watchlist is available to managers and administrators.
What Triggers a Watchlist Alert
Team members may appear on the watchlist when:
-
Extended time since last leave
They haven't taken any annual leave for a significant period (e.g., 3+ months).
-
High remaining balance
They have a large proportion of their entitlement unused, especially late in the leave year.
-
No planned leave
They have no upcoming approved or pending leave requests.
-
Pattern changes
Their leave-taking pattern has changed significantly compared to previous periods.
Understanding Risk Levels
The watchlist may show different risk levels:
- Monitor Worth keeping an eye on – may benefit from a gentle reminder
- Attention Consider having a conversation about taking some leave
- Urgent Significant concern – prompt action recommended
What to Do When Someone Appears
When a team member appears on the watchlist:
- Check the context – Is there a reason they haven't taken leave? (new starter, planned holiday coming up, etc.)
- Have a conversation – Ask how they're doing, without being accusatory
- Encourage leave – Suggest they book some time off soon
- Remove barriers – Address any concerns about workload coverage
- Follow up – Check they actually take the leave they book
Having Supportive Conversations
When discussing leave with someone on the watchlist:
- Be curious, not critical – "I noticed you haven't taken much leave lately – is everything okay?"
- Express genuine concern – Frame it as caring about their wellbeing
- Listen actively – There may be reasons you're not aware of
- Offer practical help – Help plan coverage or prioritise workload
- Don't force it – Ultimately, encourage rather than mandate
Example Conversation Starter
"I was looking at leave across the team and noticed you haven't taken any time off since March. I wanted to check in – is there anything stopping you from taking a break? Rest is really important for staying fresh."
Common Reasons People Don't Take Leave
Understanding why helps you address the root cause:
- Workload concerns – They feel too busy or irreplaceable
- Saving for later – Planning a big holiday at year end
- Cultural pressure – Team or company culture discourages leave
- Financial reasons – Can't afford to go anywhere
- Personal circumstances – No one to holiday with, family commitments
- Simply forgot – Time flies and they haven't thought about it
Creating a Leave-Positive Culture
To prevent burnout across your team:
- Lead by example – Take your own leave and talk about it
- Normalise time off – Celebrate when people take breaks
- Plan coverage – Ensure no one feels they can't be away
- Discuss leave regularly – Include it in one-to-ones
- Address workload – Ensure expectations are realistic
Leave Isn't Just for Holidays
Remind your team that annual leave can be used for:
- Mental health days at home
- Catching up on personal admin
- Long weekends for rest
- Time with family and friends
- Pursuing hobbies and interests
You don't need to travel or have "plans" to benefit from time away from work.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
The Burnout Watchlist is most effective when used proactively. Regular check-ins and a supportive culture mean fewer people end up on the list in the first place.