4 Ways Workflow Automation Can Prevent Staff Burnout

Burnout can lead to an increased risk of error, lower productivity, and increased employee turnover.

With the impending end of the USPTO’s fiscal year comes the busiest season for already overworked patent attorneys and support staff. Between keeping up with the influx of office actions, organizing and tracking large patent families, finding foreign arts and translations, and pushing to catch up before the holiday season, legal support teams can burn out. According to Forbes, 28% of legal teams experience burnout, and according to a GWI report, burned-out workers are ultimately 25% more likely to leave their positions.

Here are four ways workflow automation solutions can prevent support staff burnout:

1. Lightening the load

Workflow automation can take over some of the repetitive, menial tasks that usually fall to support staff. This creates space for support staff to branch out and focus on more fulfilling work that aligns with their skills and interests, therefore relieving dissatisfaction and burnout. If your firm does experience staff turnover, WFA solutions make handing off work easier, allowing you to spend less time training and onboarding.

2. Curbing costs and overwork

Fewer hours spent on menial tasks not only lightens the load for support staff, but eases the pressure on your budget. Leveraging workflow automation allows your staff to prioritize billable work, letting your firm use time that would have otherwise been spent on repetitive tasks on work that generates more revenue.

3. Enhancing quality

In an analysis of OA responses, we found that 11.5% contained at least one claim language error made by the firm. Compared to Juristat-prepared responses in the same time period, the error rate was less than 0.5%. Implementing workflow automation solutions can minimize the risk of mistakes made through human error and therefore reduce the time and energy previously spent reviewing and correcting these mistakes. 

4. Fostering work-life balance

Overworked and stressed teams are less productive. Workflow automation assists in distributing workloads more evenly, mitigating the risk of burnout. This approach encourages teams to approach their responsibilities with renewed energy and creativity, and leaves them time to prioritize their well-being and relationships.