16 Ways Internal Comms Pros Can Address Employee Burnout Head-On

By Expert Panel®, Forbes Councils Member.

for Forbes Communications Council

Feb 21, 2025, 01:15pm EST

Employee burnout is no longer just contained to the workplace—further exacerbated by today’s uncertain economy and rapid dive into the world of artificial intelligence, employee burnout has become an ever-increasing global problem. A complex problem like this should be tackled from multiple angles, but one important factor in solving this issue is how a company handles its internal communications.

Responsible for bridging the gap between leadership and the rest of the team, internal communications professionals can be instrumental in helping to alleviate much of the stress and exhaustion that fuels burnout. Here, 16 leaders from Forbes Communications Council discuss some of the most effective ways internal comms pros can use communications efforts to better address employee burnout and well-being at work.

1. Help Employees Find Meaning In Their Work

There's a reason people are burning out, leading to what some are calling "The Great Detachment": Workers don't understand the purpose of their companies or why their jobs matter. Internal comms pros can connect those dots for them, guiding leadership to be accountable to employees for creating meaning in their work—and to normalize vulnerable conversations about mental health. - Caleb Gardner, 18 Coffees

2. Ensure Communication Feels Human, Not Corporate

Normalize open conversations around well-being through storytelling. Highlight real employee experiences, leadership vulnerability and practical wellness resources in short videos, internal podcasts or interactive town halls. When communication feels human—not corporate—employees feel heard, supported and empowered to prioritize balance. - Barbara Puszkiewicz-Cimino, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

3. Deeply Understand Employees And Their Working Styles

Start from a place of understanding and know your individual employees' motivations, limits, communication styles and signals of stress. Lean into the place where the organization's values balance with the employee's working style for optimizing productivity. - Melissa Sierra, USIM

4. Foster A Culture Of Trust

Preventing burnout isn’t just about reducing workloads—it starts with fostering a culture of trust. Internal comms professionals play a crucial role in creating an environment where employees feel heard, valued and safe to speak up. When leaders prioritize open communication and psychological safety, employees are more likely to share their struggles before burnout takes hold. - Dariia Opanasiuk, Impulse - Brain Training

5. Make Benefits And Support Easier To Access

Since the pandemic, more employees need mental health and wellness support—maybe for the first time in their lives. Their companies may already offer those benefits, but employees might not know how to find them. For one client, we simplified the benefits section of their intranet and built awareness with a campaign emphasizing the importance of thriving both personally and professionally. - Elizabeth Baskin, Tribe, Inc.

6. Reduce The Stigma Around 'Burnout'

Take the taboo off this topic! Talk about it like you talk about any other topic in internal communications. Only employees who feel well can give their best. We are all humans and need to invest in our well-being. This starts with leaders. - Diana Scholz, Bayer AG

7. Promote Open Dialogue And Feedback Channels

Internal communications teams can address employee burnout by promoting open dialogue and feedback channels. Understanding the root cause is crucial, so regular surveys and anonymous feedback can help identify stressors. Sharing resources on stress management and well-being through newsletters, videos and workshops can also provide support and foster a healthier work environment. - Susan Hardy, CDW

8. Recognize Wins And Encourage Appreciation

Burnout is real, and internal communications can help tackle it. Use channels to promote balance—share reminders to take breaks, celebrate accomplishments and encourage connection. Recognizing wins and fostering a culture of appreciation through consistent communication can make a big difference in easing stress and building a healthier workplace. - Cord Himelstein, HALO

9. Create A Wellness Communication Program

Internal communications teams can help address employee burnout by creating a wellness communication program. Key strategies include regular wellness newsletters, interactive workshops, anonymous feedback channels, wellness challenges and an online resource hub. These efforts promote a culture of well-being, open dialogue and practical support to help employees manage stress. - Heather Stickler, Tidal Basin Group

10. Offer Expert Advice Via Podcasts

Starting during the pandemic, we implemented a series of closed-circuit live-streamed podcasts (in the evenings, after office hours) on wellness topics that help employees cope with various aspects of life. Expert guests (like psychologists, doctors and coaches) are invited to give advice and tips and field questions from employees. It’s super valuable information for employees, who ultimately feel heard. - Kerry-Ann Betton Stimpson, JMMB Group

11. Dedicate Digital Spaces For Employee Connection And Joy

In my communications experience, creating dedicated digital spaces for employees to share pet photos and videos is a powerful way to combat burnout. A simple "Pets of [Company]" channel builds authentic connections and provides much-needed mental breaks. These micro-moments of joy help fight isolation, spark cross-team relationships and remind us to see each other as whole people. - JoAnn Yamani, Adeia

12. Acknowledge Their Struggle And Offer Tools To Reduce Workload

Acknowledge that there is a lot happening. Then, put emphasis on prioritization and the reduction of grunt work among various teams. Inform them about tools that will help them reduce any day-to-day inefficiencies. - Bhavesh Gupta, Unilever

13. Reduce Communication Overload

We prioritize reaching only the relevant people at the right time through the right channels. This approach includes understanding employees’ preferences within the comms platforms they use daily and coordinating a well-structured schedule to reduce communication overload and minimize duplication. - Lisa Maynard, Awin

14. Encourage More Relaxation And Mindfulness

The best way to prevent burnout is to stop it before it begins. Encourage employees to prioritize relaxation and mindfulness. Build a culture that supports regular breaks and work-life balance, ensuring employees stay refreshed, focused and resilient, effectively preventing burnout from taking hold. - Ryan Becnel, Energea

15. Highlight Underutilized Resources

Collaborate with your benefits team to highlight underutilized resources through internal comms, like intranet posts and newsletters. At BGSF, we spotlight benefits and host a monthly Empower Hour, where employees share insights on self-care and growth. This approach raises awareness, fosters connection and supports well-being by making tools for burnout prevention accessible and relatable. - Emily Burroughs, BGSF

16. Hold Leadership Accountable For Making Real Change

Burnout isn’t an employee problem—it’s a leadership accountability issue. Comms should spotlight systemic causes like unrealistic workloads and always-on cultures instead of just relying on wellness programs or mindfulness apps. Use messaging to hold leaders accountable for setting boundaries, respecting time off and modeling healthy behaviors. Real change starts with leadership, not self-care campaigns. - Genine Fallon, Cold Bore Capital