The Employee Handbook

A monthly newsletter about current challenges and conversations for values-driven HR professionals

Breaking the Cycle of Overwork

Ever found yourself juggling priorities to an extreme, perhaps delaying essential tasks to tackle work obligations?

Malissa Clark, author and associate professor at the University of Georgia, certainly has. During graduate school, her decision to postpone a hospital trip while in labor to finish up a midterm may sound extreme, but it’s a tale that captures the relentless pace of our “always on” work culture. Now, she asks us to reassess this culture and prioritize well-being.

In a fireside chat at From Day One’s Atlanta conference , Clark told moderator Nicole Smith of the Harvard Business Review, “I didn’t feel like I could stop. I just felt like I had to push through.” But fear not: Clark offered our audience practical solutions . From advocating for clear work-life boundaries to promoting the use of paid time off, she laid out a roadmap for healthier, happier work environments.

Confront the “always on” mindset.?

A key contributor to the current culture of overwork is the belief that employees should be available around the clock. This expectation became even more prevalent during Covid, and the trend hasn’t subsided. Clark suggests that employees, especially those working remotely, should set their own suitable work hours, while limiting communication with others to standard business hours. Feel free to draft that late-night email if you really want to; just make sure it’s scheduled to go out at a more reasonable hour.?

Take a break. No, really.?

Vacation days exist for a reason, so take one. Clark says that some organizations are encouraging their workers to use their PTO, citing Medtronic’s “Earn Time to Win Time,” where workers are entered into drawings to win more days off when they actually use their PTO. And when employees know their managers are using their benefits and taking their PTO, leaders are setting a positive example , encouraging workers to do the same.?

Next time you find yourself struggling to balance work commitments with personal well-being, or tempted to send just one or two more emails, take a beat to reflect on Clark’s advice, reported on here .??

Fostering Workplace Well-Being

So you’re feeling overworked. Where do you turn for support??

A recent survey found that 77% of employers saw an increase in mental health concerns in 2023, indicating that health and wellness will continue to be a pressing issue for employers and employees. And leaders are taking different approaches to it, as found in our recent panel discussion in Atlanta on the topic of “Fostering Workplace Well-Being Amid Today’s Stressors .”

The panel of leaders offered innovative ideas on implementing well-being initiatives, from creating wellness rooms to prioritizing empathetic leadership. And for organizations like Mayo Clinic, well-being is built into the work. “We have programs supporting the financial, physical and mental well-being of our employees at work. We’re [also] thinking about how we identify and allow people to have purpose, meaning and belonging at work,” said Steven Lester, M.D, Professor of Medicine, Cardiologist and Health Care Futurist.?

Want to hear more? You can watch this session here .?

Join us!

We hope you’ll join us at our live or virtual events this year. But if you’re too busy for a half or full-day event, we also frequently hold 60-minute webinars. We’ll be covering topics like spotting employee disengagement , tackling financial stressors , and supporting working parents .?

Here’s our full list of webinars already scheduled far into the year. The best part? They’re free of charge. So take a look at what we’ve got in store and seize the opportunity to learn something new, all while earning SHRM and HRCI credits!

Is employee engagement top of mind for you? We’re hosting a half-day virtual conference next Wednesday, March 6, about energizing workers through engagement. We’ll hear from leaders at the Home Depot, Checkers and Rally’s, and from best-selling author Mary Murphy. We’ll also be giving away 50 complimentary copies of her brand new book Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations , so don’t miss out.?

Here’s the agenda . Your exclusive, complimentary VIP pass is waiting for you here . See you there!