The recession has caused employees and employers to tighten their financial belts, and as a consequence, stress, anxiety and job burn-out – made worse by unhealthy habits and poor communication – can devastate business results, according to Loyola University medical director Dr. Mary Capelli-Schellpfeffer.

“People are worried about losing their jobs, making bank payments and keeping their families safe. Their fears are real. For companies, the economic uncertainties are impacting market predictions. Fatigue is climbing as managers and their teams cope across difficult months.

They’re becoming exhausted,” Capelli-Schellpfeffer says.

Capelli-Schellpfeffer suggests it’s best to avoid multitasking: “Research shows that a person’s efficiency degrades when too many activities require attention at once. Regardless of your age or experience, the multiple distractions lead to mental errors. Keep focused on one project at a time: it will be less difficult to finish. When you are done, marking a completed job off your ‘to do’ list will give you boost to take on the next assignment.”

One of the most important healthy habits an employer can use in the fight against burn-out is frequent communication, she says.

“Communication is critical to success. That’s always true. But it’s harder to do during challenging events because of all the “noise” from bad news. Make sure your messages are being repeated and sent to employees in a variety of ways. Don’t assume one e-mail is going to reach everyone,” says Capelli-Schellpfeffer. “Shared messages can become an important vehicle for solidifying trust and a team perspective.”

“When a supervisor stops by an employee’s desk asking, ‘How are you doing?’ the action makes an impact. The added bonus is that the supervisor is more likely to gain valuable first-hand information about what is or isn’t working in the enterprise,” she says.

“Employers and employees are living in the same work-world. Healthy habits and communication are basic tools everyone can use to beat business burn-out and protect productivity until the recession’s effects clear.”