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Every New Year, I find myself setting business resolutions, and this year, my focus is on well-being. As a tech entrepreneur operating in the healthcare sector, the topic of employee well-being often sits at the top of my agenda.
After participating in a strategic forum for business leaders recently, I gained valuable insights into promoting wellness and mitigating one of the biggest challenges in any workplace—burnout, especially for remote workers.
The Impact of Burnout on Productivity
In today’s fast-paced business environment, the risk of burnout is ever-looming. With our schedules packed with meetings and an unending list of emails demanding attention, many employees start their days feeling already drained. The correlation between fatigue and performance is stark, with numerous studies indicating that exhausted individuals exhibit decreased work output, as published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Research from Frank Giampietro, the chief well-being officer at Ernst & Young, indicates that productivity significantly dips and cognitive function wanes after exceeding 350 digital interactions per day. This figure accumulates swiftly during busy problem-solving sessions and collaborative efforts.
Moreover, when schedules are packed with back-to-back meetings with no pauses in between, not only does productivity falter, but the likelihood of burnout also escalates. Just viewing a crammed schedule at the start of the day can spike anxiety levels.
Related: Prioritizing Your Employees’ Well-being Is the Smartest Business Decision You Can Make — Here’s How.
Key Considerations for Employee Wellness
To foster a culture of holistic wellness and effectively combat burnout, organizations should reflect on the following nine questions as they navigate through 2025:
1. Are you encouraging physical health?
Promoting physical health can include supporting activities like walking breaks during work hours, introducing friendly step competitions, or providing gym memberships. Flexibility in work hours allows employees to pursue their fitness activities, such as attending yoga classes or swimming sessions.
2. Can you improve meeting structures?
Giampietro recommends even short breaks between meetings—just five minutes—can enhance well-being and reduce anxiety. It’s essential to stick to meeting protocols, complete with agendas and clear objectives. Consider cancelling unnecessary meetings to respect employees’ time.
3. How flexible are your schedules?
While many businesses have adapted to flexible schedules, there’s room for improvement. Flexibility should also consider life events or unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather conditions, allowing employees to manage their responsibilities more effectively.
4. Are you promoting time away from work?
Sufficient paid time off (PTO) is fundamental. It’s important that your employees feel they can truly disconnect and recharge. Ensuring balanced workloads and implementing cross-training helps maintain continuity during absences.
Related: Why Personal Health and Wellness Are Key to Business Longevity
5. Are you fostering a sense of purpose in work?
According to Harvard Business Review, the perception of meaningful work often outweighs financial compensation or perks. Engaging employees in meaningful tasks not only boosts morale but also enhances commitment and job satisfaction.
6. Do you provide comprehensive health benefits?
We take pride in offering a robust benefits package, particularly covering mental health services like therapy. It’s crucial to advocate for such services in your organization and actively promote their usage among employees.
7. Are you leveraging technology effectively?
Advancements in generative AI can streamline numerous administrative tasks. By intentionally allocating time for employees to learn and adapt to these technologies, businesses can enhance efficiency.
8. Are you tracking wellness initiatives?
As the saying goes, “If it moves, measure it.” In our digitally driven landscape, tracking wellness data allows organizations to identify trends and measure the effectiveness of interventions. An example shared by Giampietro demonstrated improved well-being scores shortly after implementing new practices.
9. Are you setting an example?
Ultimately, leaders must assess whether they embody a holistic approach to well-being. Taking time away, opting for meetings on the move, and optimizing personal workloads can promote a culture of wellness throughout the organization.
Related: Burnout is Not a Badge of Honor. Follow These 4 Mental Wellness Strategies for Long-Term Success
The Business Case for Addressing Burnout
Numerous studies—and personal insights—confirm that a healthier and happier workforce leads to increased productivity and reduced burnout. Another vital aspect to consider is employee retention.
In the highly competitive tech industry, employees have myriad options, and losing skilled individuals due to preventable burnout can be detrimental. The costs associated with recruiting, hiring, and training new staff can heavily impact an organization’s finances, making retention a priority.
As we look ahead, it’s essential to shift towards a more comprehensive understanding of wellbeing in the workplace. Embracing this holistic approach in 2025 could be the key to achieving a harmonious work-life balance.
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