The landscape of work is constantly evolving, which presents some significant challenges for both employers and employees. In a post-pandemic context, managing staff wellbeing, as well as reducing sickness and absence is becoming ever more difficult, especially for those working in a hybrid environment. One of the major driving factors behind this is the rise of burnout amongst employees, but what can businesses do to support their employees and ensure they can be at their best in the office?

The issue of workforce burnout
Data from our Returning for Good study, which combined the results of a survey of 9,500 employees and 6,650 employers from 17 countries worldwide, found that 59% of workers are facing the prospect of burnout, a worryingly high figure for any business. There are a myriad of factors behind this trend; indeed, half of all the individuals that responded to our study indicated that excessive workloads are playing a part, while a third reported that the amount of time they spend in the office is the main issue. Businesses, particularly in the current climate, where they are facing increasing macroeconomic pressures combined with a lack of available skills, are unlikely to be able to reduce workloads without piling pressure on other areas of their organisation, so the focus should be on elements within their control. One aspect often overlooked in relation to this issue is the importance of providing spaces that can support individual activities.

When we look more closely at the data, we not only see that 30% of respondents feel that the amount of time they spend in the office is playing a part in the rising levels of burnout being experienced, but an additional 58% also say that they cannot carry out the main elements of their job when in the office due to the number of distractions they face and the lack of private, quiet spaces for them to work from. These statistics are even more concerning when we consider that 87% of employers believe employees will return to the office at least four days a week in the next two years, meaning that the already high levels of burnout could become even more prevalent unless workplaces are redesigned to suit the needs of the modern-day workforce.

This trend of “low productivity” rates when in the workplace seems to be more common in younger generations, with 65% of 18–35-year-olds, compared to 45% of those aged over 45, flagging the office as a problem factor. This further indicates that it is those who are not used to traditional workspaces that are struggling the most to adapt as office returns increase.

Preventing burnout and supporting people
Firstly, businesses need to identify whether their existing office spaces are really meeting the needs and serving the purpose of today’s workers. It is all well and good to provide a desk and think that is enough for someone to feel good and be productive in the office but, as we have seen, this is no longer sufficient for many professionals. Instead, talent management teams and business leaders need to think about the balance they are providing in the workplace; the data from Returning for Good clearly indicates that staff want a combination of spaces for both collective work and socialisation (35% suggested this was the main factor for them returning to the office), as well as quieter spaces for reflection and to enable them to work in private. Businesses that do not provide a balanced environment, and instead think their employees will be happy with collectively used spaces solely, are likely to struggle to retain their key staff and could see levels of burnout increase further, especially within the neurodivergent population.

There are other design elements that can have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of staff. Employers that are serious about creating environments that allow their people to feel well and be more productive should look to mix colour uses in order to support their employees’ ability to work effectively. The use of yellows, for example, can promote creativity among individuals, while blues have been shown to improve wellbeing, efficiency, and focus. And design does not just have to utilise artificial colourings. Using plants and other biophilic elements to bring the outside in can also have a calming impact on those using the space and, in turn, naturally reduce the number of people who may be on the verge of burning themselves out.

This is no longer just a wellbeing issue and the ‘right thing’ to do as an employer, there is also a business case for reducing burnout by any means possible. As you will know, the hiring arena in the UK is not in an overly positive position; it is a job-heavy market and there are nowhere near enough candidates or skills to meet the demand in most sectors. While the aforementioned economic uncertainty may have an impact on this in the coming months, for now, businesses must focus on retaining and looking after their staff rather than engaging in often costly hiring processes that may not be fully successful. We have all seen the data on the extensive costs of hiring new talent compared to retaining existing skills, and that is before we factor in that these skills may not even be available in the current market. Put simply, no firm can afford to lose its best people at the moment, particularly while the market is so challenging.

Ultimately, businesses should look to focus on creating working environments where their staff can not only be productive and efficient, but also – and most importantly – feel comfortable and psychologically safe to bring their authentic selves to work. It is clear from the Returning for Good data that many individuals do not want to work from their offices in their current form, suggesting that change is needed. The consequences of employers choosing not to listen to their workforce are considerable and could lead to many firms being unable to retain their staff who will seek pastures new. HR teams must consider whether they want the issue of their office design to spin into a more problematic people management issue and act accordingly by focusing more on the design of their existing workspaces and how it influences their people.