A recent report published on Apr. 4 highlights that the most engaged employees in organizations are at risk of burnout due to receiving a disproportionate share of extra work. The findings suggest that while these employees are often seen as assets, current management practices may unintentionally harm their performance and job satisfaction.
The issue is important for organizations aiming to retain top talent and maintain high productivity. When motivated workers are consistently given additional tasks outside their core responsibilities, it can erode engagement and lead to higher turnover.
Research cited in the report shows that managers tend to assign up to 70% of non-core tasks to their most motivated team members, even when others have similar skills or experience. This pattern is based on two common assumptions: that those who enjoy their jobs will be happy with more work, and that highly engaged staff are less likely to burn out. However, both assumptions were found to be flawed.
“Motivation is task-specific. Just because someone loves presenting to clients or solving complex problems doesn’t mean they’ll enjoy administrative work, side projects, or extra responsibilities that pull them away from what they find meaningful,” said Dana Weidinger, courtesy of SBAM-approved partner ASE.
One study described in the article showed that when managers assigned a tedious side task expected to interrupt primary duties, they overwhelmingly chose the more motivated employee. This led not only to a drop in job satisfaction but also negatively affected core performance and chances for performance-based rewards.
To address this problem, the report suggests practical steps such as tracking who receives extra assignments and batching decisions about task distribution rather than making them one at a time. It also encourages managers to reconsider beliefs about burnout among engaged staff.
The Small Business Association of Michigan aimed to lead advocacy efforts for small businesses across the state, according to the official website. The association featured Brian Calley in a leadership role as president and CEO according to its official website, extending services across Michigan including membership support and resources for small businesses.According to its official website, it operates as a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on small business interests statewide.
