Fatigue, Frustration and Forgotten Conversations: Let’s Talk Burnout

When we talk about health and safety, the conversation usually goes straight to working at heights, manual handling, or staying safe on-site. But there’s another kind of risk that’s just as real and far less talked about: burnout, and it doesn’t just affect your team. It affects owners, managers, and business leaders too.

Long hours. Tight deadlines. Last-minute changes. Stressful installs. Constant decision-making. It’s all part of the job. But over time, the pressure builds, and it’s taking a toll, not only on the crew but on business owners and leaders trying to hold it all together.

Whether you’re running the business, managing jobs, on the tools, or in production, the pace of the Sign Industry is relentless. Clients want everything done yesterday. Lead times are shrinking. Costs are rising. And more often than not, we’re doing more with fewer people.

It’s no surprise we’re seeing a rise in employee fatigue, employer frustration, and quiet burnout on both sides of the fence.

Warning Signs You Might Be Missing

• A good worker starts making mistakes
• Someone upbeat goes quiet or withdrawn
• Tempers getting shorter on-site or in the office
• More sick days, late starts, or unplanned leave
• You find yourself losing patience, feeling resentful, or constantly “wired and tired”

This isn’t just “part of the job.” It’s a wellbeing risk, and a business risk.

If we don’t take burnout seriously, we risk losing good people and undermining the strength of our businesses.

Real-World Tips

• Plan Ahead (Realistically)
  Last-minute changes happen, but set clear, achievable timelines when you can. Over-promising to clients often leads to overload for your team and yourself.
• Build in Breathers
  After intense jobs, allow time to reset, whether it’s a slower start, shared breakfast, or quiet admin time for leaders. Small pauses prevent bigger crashes.
• Talk About Stress
  Pressure is part of the job, talking about it should be too. Make space in meetings to check in. Leaders, go first it shows it’s okay to speak up.
• Share the Load
  Don’t let one person carry everything. Cross-train your team, delegate key tasks, and lean on systems that reduce pressure.
• Acknowledge the Wins
  Quick shoutouts, small celebrations, or even a “thanks” go a long way. Recognition boosts morale, and resilience.

Let’s start making mental health part of the safety conversation. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just building signs, we’re building businesses and businesses are only as strong as their people. Call the team today.