4 Tips to Avoid Property Management Burnout

Heavy workloads and deadline pressures are a fact of managerial life. Who doesn’t feel overwhelmed or stretched thin sometimes? But when relentless work stress pushes you into the debilitating state we call burnout, it is a serious problem, affecting not just your own performance and well-being, both on the job and off, but also that of your team and your organization.

There’s plenty to love about working in the property management industry, but the job can also be pretty stressful and emotional. We hear it all the time: property management burnout is real, and it takes a toll on your business. Workplace burnout is often caused by factors like overwhelming job demands, improper or inadequate training, and lack of social support. It can impact everything from performance to personal well-being, and property managers are telling us that they’re getting hit hard.

Property management burnout is often characterized by the following symptoms:

1. – Feelings of fatigue or energy exhaustion
2. – Reduced occupational efficiency and productivity
3. – Negative feelings or criticism towards one’s job

Many people think a vacation will prevent or cure a burnout. But a few days off isn’t enough to keep the tide from coming in or to turn it back around. We’re sharing how to create an environment that empowers you and your employees to achieve better work-life balance and be happier and more productive.

Here are 4 tips on how to eliminate a burnout in 2023.

Employee Recognition and Rewards

Burnout is likely to occur when employees are not feeling valued at what they do. It’s critical for employees to know that their hard work matters. Especially when property management is fast-paced, demanding industry.

Research shows over 91% of HR experts think giving workers praise and rewards increases their likelihood of sticking around. Praising your employees for their hard work can translate to working more meaningful, and with purpose.

Staff who are appreciated and recognized for their work report feeling impactful at their jobs. So, you should make a habit of showing your appreciation toward your staff. You can achieve this by embedding recognition into your culture through simple initiatives.

Those initiatives can include:

1. – Shoutouts during team meetings
2. – Quarterly awards for outstanding employees
3. – Regular appreciation luncheons or dinners

For more formal rewards, create quarterly or annual programs that allow for peer-to-peer nominations. You might want to carve out some of your property management budget for nicer award dinners or events.

Employee recognition or appreciation isn’t all about performance. These awards and shoutouts should celebrate those who live out the company’s core values every day.

Leverage Technology

While technology can sometimes be overwhelming and add to a burnout. It’s important to identify the right technology to use. There are many manual tasks that can be automated when incorporating technology to your day to day operations.

The bulk of property manager burnout stems from having to do tedious, repetitive tasks throughout the day. A great way to alleviate your staff’s burden is to install proptech that automates those arduous tasks.

Examples of using proptech for your property management company

• Automated Income Verification
• E Leasing
• Electronic Disclosure Delivery
• Automated Landlord & Employment Verification

Promote Mental and Physical Wellness

Much of property manager burnout is rooted in mental and physical stress. With such a demanding job, it’s easy to let your health take the sidelines. But it’s crucial to be holistically healthy and well to excel in anything, including your work.

This is why you should promote mental and physical wellness among your property staff. When employees know that their employers genuinely care about their well-being, they’re more likely to have a positive outlook on their job.

Some ways to promote holistic wellness among your employees:

1. – Give monthly or quarterly self-care stipends for personal care and gym memberships
2. – Hire on-demand massage therapists for your staff
3. – Encourage staff to leave their desks and go outside for lunch
4. – Hold listening sessions on how to improve the work environment and follow up with actionable steps
5. – Encourage staff to use PTO and take mental health days

Provide Training Opportunities

Proper training leads to staff who are confident and knowledgeable. They will more likely have the necessary skills to manage stress and solve problems.

Here goes a few ways to provide training:

1. – Create training programs within your company. These programs should be created to help your team learn how to operate their day to day tasks effectively.
2. – Send your team to local or state association state conferences
3. – Many industries provide certifications, encourage your staff to be certified in their field.
4. – Product specific training; on a recurring basis (i.e. bi-weekly, monthly) train your team on a specific product or service your company offers.

In conclusion, property management burnout is a real issue that can negatively impact both individuals and organizations. To eliminate burnout in 2023 and create a healthier work environment, consider implementing these four tips. By implementing these strategies, you can create an environment that empowers you and your property management team to achieve better work-life balance, reduce burnout, and increase productivity in 2023 and beyond.