Jennifer was interviewed by MediaPlanet for a series in the Toronto Star - Transforming Canadian Healthcare & Self-Care

Employee burnout remains a critical issue, worsened by the pandemic, with many organizations failing to implement effective solutions. Unlike general stress, burnout is a chronic state of depletion that significantly impacts an individual’s effectiveness at work. The root causes are often unsustainable work-life dynamics, and self-care alone is insufficient to address the issue. Systemic changes are necessary to reduce burnout, such as setting realistic workloads, promoting flexibility, and encouraging open dialogues about mental health. In today’s work culture, where toxic productivity and blurred work-life boundaries prevail, it is essential to normalize rest and create clear boundaries that prioritize employee well-being. Leaders play a crucial role in modeling healthy behaviors, identifying tasks to deprioritize, and fostering a supportive work environment.

With the rise of hybrid work, organizations and individuals must rethink how work is structured to prevent burnout and sustain long-term productivity. Hybrid work has shown benefits like increased productivity and revenue retention, but requiring employees to return to traditional office environments without considering the success of remote work is counterproductive. In-person work should focus on relationship-building and fostering enjoyment; otherwise, remote work may be the more effective option. Organizations need to address issues like meeting fatigue, time poverty, and blurred boundaries by reducing unnecessary meetings, respecting personal time, and discouraging after-hours work. Recognizing employees who maintain a healthy work-life balance, rather than rewarding overwork, is key to fostering sustainable productivity. Leaders should create environments that enable harmony between work and personal life in both in-person and remote setups.

Read the complete article at MediaPlanet - Jennifer Moss.