Why workplace culture, leadership and prevention – not perks – are the key to stopping burnout before it’s too late
Our Founder, Rachel Collar, has been featured in the latest edition of the Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes Chamber magazine, where she shines a spotlight on one of the biggest hidden challenges facing today’s workplaces – employee burnout.
While many organisations remain focused on the challenges of recruitment and retention, Rachel warns that a quieter crisis is playing out behind the scenes. Increasing numbers of employees are becoming disengaged, exhausted or emotionally checked out.
Speaking from her own experience as a former senior HR leader, Rachel knows first-hand the toll burnout can take:
“Hybrid working was meant to offer flexibility, but for many, it has blurred the lines between work and life. The laptop never really switches off, and the result is longer hours, thinner boundaries and unsustainable workloads.”
Rachel believes the issue goes deeper than wellbeing initiatives alone can solve:
“Free fruit, yoga classes or wellness apps can be great, but they don’t address systemic overload. What really matters is whether the workplace culture gives people permission to set boundaries and have honest conversations about capacity.”
At Haus of HR, we are calling on employers to take a preventative approach to burnout, rather than reacting only once it reaches crisis point. This includes:
- Equipping managers to spot early warning signs.
- Reviewing workloads regularly.
- Encouraging everyday conversations that go beyond tick-box surveys.
As Rachel explains:
“The real question isn’t how hard people are working – it’s what it’s costing them, and whether that cost is sustainable. Businesses that face this challenge head-on will be the ones best placed to build resilient, people-first cultures that last.”
A Call to Action for Employers
Burnout is not inevitable. With the right culture, leadership and practices in place, businesses can protect their people’s energy, safeguard wellbeing and sustain high performance.
At Haus of HR, we help organisations put prevention at the heart of their people strategy. To learn more about how we can support your business, get in touch today.