New norms surrounding flexible hours and locations that support hybrid work are in discussion. Companies focus more on creative productivity than how many hours a person puts in (yet many companies have software that tracks hours.) Healthy boundaries, work-life balance and sensible workloads are in focus and firms that overwork their workforce are in disapproval. Organizations are investing in strategic practices to reduce burnout. Many companies provide employee assistance programs (EAP) offering complimentary in-person or digital therapy. Organizations do not just see these changes as an HR benefit but strive to embed mental health in the company culture. Managers are asked to be part of psychological safety and emotional intelligence training to spot burnout. Normalizing dialogues about the topics of therapy, mental illness and neurodiversity are encouraged. Stress level check-ins and wearable biofeedback tools tied to Human Resources departments are used to take the temperature of employee stress. To mitigate workplace stress companies even create restorative places, such as quiet rooms, in their facility sites.
It is time to say farewell to the chaos of 2021 and look toward setting smart goals for safety, health and happiness in 2022. But instead of the usual self-critical New Year resolutions based on ‘not being enough,’ why not use a gentler approach to set simple objectives with individual wellbeing in mind. Forget what others are doing to self-improve, as comparison frequently leaves people feeling just that…’less than.’