Recently, a study led by Lindsay Andiola, an accounting professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in the United States, has revealed simple methods to alleviate work fatigue for professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants. These professionals often face heavy workloads that can lead to feelings of exhaustion, ultimately affecting their efficiency.
The research indicates that taking short breaks (typically lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes) and receiving support from supervisors can reduce fatigue experienced after a busy day at work. Additionally, reducing work fatigue at the end of the day can improve the quality of sleep at night, subsequently decreasing fatigue the following day.
According to Andiola, brief breaks are a simple and cost-effective way to manage fatigue, especially when work demands are high. Supervisor support plays a crucial role in alleviating fatigue. These mechanisms jointly provide practical relief for professionals working during busy seasons or high-stress periods.
Taking a brief break can temporarily shift one’s focus away from work, aiding physical recovery. This can involve having a cup of coffee, eating a snack, stretching briefly, or reading a short article.
In terms of management, supervisors can demonstrate support by simply asking employees if they need assistance or have any work-related issues, or by expressing appreciation for their staff.
In this study, Andiola’s research team surveyed 44 accountants about their work habits and conducted an experiment involving 179 additional participants on fatigue and short breaks.
The results showed that both short breaks and supervisor support can reduce employee fatigue. For accountants, the benefits of these relief measures are most significant during the busiest times of the year, indicating their effectiveness when most needed and under higher levels of pressure.
Furthermore, subsequent experiments revealed that taking brief breaks is associated with improved accuracy in conducting audits during work. It is well-known that accountants’ accuracy decreases when accounting firms face significant pressure.
Researchers stated in the report, “Public accountants often face deadline pressures, long working hours, and substantial workloads.”
They added, “These job demands can lead to high levels of fatigue and burnout, which may have adverse effects on audit quality in the short term and increase turnover rates in the long term.”
By implementing strategies such as taking short breaks and receiving supervisor support, companies can enhance employee well-being and work quality, ultimately creating a more sustainable and efficient work environment.
The findings of this study have been published in the journal Contemporary Accounting Research.