Is Burnout the New Black? How Leaders Combat Burnout And Boost Employee Productivity
Photo credit Carl Heyerdahl @carlheyerdahl
Mental health and wellness. It’s a topic that gets frequent attention, yet it still remains an issue that those struggling often keep hidden. Additionally, top performers often hide it well – whether it’s that junior team member who constantly delivers on razor-thin deadlines but at the unseen price of staying up until midnight, or the senior manager running on caffeine to meet month-end targets.
There’s a good chance that more of your team members are on the verge of burnout than you think. According to a 2024 Workforce Wellness report, 62% of employees say they’re “often” or “always” stressed on the job and nearly 40% say an unmanageable workload is their top source of stress.
In a world in which efficiency and round-the-clock availability are king, stress is inevitable. When it gets to the point of burnout, it can be extremely costly to companies and leaders. Companies that don’t prioritize mental health and wellbeing are more likely to experience long-term lost productivity, presenteeism and even higher turnover.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important for leaders to take a step back and consider tips for strengthening team performance…but without the burnout.
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of your team is about more than doing the right thing. It’s about making an investment in your most valuable assets: your people.
Employees who feel like their company genuinely cares about their well-being are more likely to stay, with a Gallup poll revealing that employees who strongly agree that their employer cares about this are 71% less likely to experience regular burnout and three times more likely to be engaged at work. Another study from Mind Share Partners found that 60% of employees say they would remain at a company longer if their mental health concerns were addressed effectively…while another American Psychological Association study revealed that 39% of employees left a previous job specifically because of mental health concerns.
The loyalty created by supporting mental health and taking steps to reduce burnout pays out in spades…from improved productivity to fewer mistakes to greater levels of innovation and creative thinking. In fact, a 2025 Willis Towers Watson study reveals that companies offering comprehensive mental health and wellness programs are seeing significant reductions in absenteeism and increases in employee retention.
Additionally, with the rise of corporate social responsibility, it’s more important than ever for companies and leaders to demonstrate a genuine commitment to mental wellbeing as a competitive edge.
Tips to support wellbeing and tackle burnout
Offer access to flexible care. One of the biggest hurdles for busy team members is finding the time to make a needed appointment or actually go to therapy. For those experiencing significant stress and burnout, it can become just another to-do item on a very long list…and one that may not be prioritized because it’s not immediately seen as an action that will lead to workplace results. In addition to encouraging team members to prioritize mental health, companies can also benefit from offering a wide range of flexible resources—whether it’s free access to digital apps like Headspace or giving team members access to telehealth or hybrid counseling. Access to flexibility in terms of work schedules can also go a long way in encouraging team members to seek the help they need without worrying about repercussions.
Walk the walk…and start from the top. It’s one thing to talk the talk when it comes to workplace wellbeing, but it’s another to walk the walk. Executives and managers set the tone for a company’s culture. There are many times when leaders may be working longer weeks or after hours…but this doesn’t always have to be (and usually shouldn’t be) communicated to teams. When team members see leadership working after hours and sending late-night emails, they often feel they need to do the same in order to succeed…even if they’re already incredibly efficient and effective. This can lead to burnout for those who give it their all during the workday. Leaders can help to flip the script by establishing and reinforcing expectations and boundaries. This includes reminding team members to take advantage of paid time off and practice work-life balance, while also doing the same for themselves.
Measure what matters. Most companies track results such as sales or revenue targets. When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, metrics should also be in place in order to encourage a healthy environment that not only attracts top employees but retains them. Simple and routine surveys of team members about stress levels and company culture satisfaction can help provide ongoing feedback that is relevant to managers. These metrics should also be analyzed closely just like business targets and if stress levels are extra high, actions should be taken to not only lower them but also address underlying causes and issues. When employees feel like their feedback is leading to positive change, they are more likely to remain engaged and become invested in a company’s success.
In the most fast-paced environments, it’s important for leaders to pay close attention and take action in order to ensure employee wellness and company success. The difference between a desirable company and a bad one can often be tied to how employees are treated. By promoting a people-first culture, companies can improve loyalty while setting a foundation for growth.
