Bye, bye burnout: how appreciation is redefining the workplace

By Nebel Crowhurst, Chief Appreciation Officer at Reward Gateway | Edenred

September 9 2024 - Today, with the emergence of trends like 'quiet quitting,' 'lazy girl job,' and the mindset of 'doing only what you're paid for,' it's evident that the once-dominant culture of exceeding expectations is losing its grip. This shift seems to be gaining momentum, largely driven by Gen Z's entry into the workforce, as they challenge long-standing norms and advocate for a more balanced approach to work and life.

That means the expectation to 'go above and beyond', which has long been a favourite among employers as a rallying cry to boost productivity for the company's advantage, seems to be on the way out. For past generations, particularly the boomers, the norm was to 'live to work, not work to live,' with career growth and financial rewards largely reserved for those willing to work the longer hours.

Before the days of endless Zoom calls and Teams meetings became our everyday reality, there was a silent understanding: if you wanted to progress in your career, putting in extra hours was essential. The lure of promotions and salary increases was often used as bait, leading many to trade their personal lives and wellbeing for professional gains.

As time passed, this concept of extra effort evolved from an occasional expectation into a daily requirement. The outcome? A workforce plagued by stress, burnout, and dwindling well-being. The long-term consequences of this approach have led to a significant re-evaluation of what truly matters in the workplace, shifting the focus from relentless productivity to sustainable engagement and overall employee satisfaction.

The work-life balance revolution

The tide is turning and people's priorities are changing. For the everyday employee working a 9-5 job, it's no longer a case of sacrificing your personal life to do a good job and get ahead in your career. This group of employees don't want to hinder their wellbeing for career progression. Instead, people are beginning to recognise that they can only bring their best selves to work if they have a healthy work life balance to begin with.

Businesses are realising this too. They see the benefits that a positive work environment, one where their people feel engaged and appreciated, has on their bottom lines. From lowering levels of absence, sickness, and stress amongst staff to boosting employee morale to improving business outcomes, employers are starting to see the rewards that a healthy work life balance brings.

Even the government is stepping in too. The new Labour government is a pushing forward and looking to implement the 'right to switch off' legislation. When in force, this legislation will give employees the right to "ignore" emails from their employer after official work hours, with the hopes of promoting a healthier work life balance across industries so that no one loses out.

The truth is, productivity in the workplace isn't about squeezing every last drop of effort out of your employees. Productivity gains instead come through creating a positive workplace, one where people feel heard and appreciated.

Appreciation is the new workplace currency

If businesses are truly serious about maximising the potential of their workforce, they need to start with genuine appreciation for their employees. This is not just about occasional perks or gestures; it's about fostering a culture that truly listens to employee needs and provides benefits that actively promote a healthy work-life balance. When we prioritise their happiness and align with what they value most, we not only attract top talent but also see a surge in productivity and innovation.

Our research, Employee Engagement: An Economic Value Study, highlights that companies embedding appreciation into their culture typically enjoy a 5 to 7% boost in performance. This shows that the benefits of appreciation are real, measurable, and impactful. So, how do they do this?

Showing appreciation isn't just about implementing standard workplace gestures; it's about bridging the 'appreciation gap.' This gap is the difference between superficial gestures and truly meeting the needs of employees in a meaningful way. Overcoming this gap can be a game-changer for businesses looking to increase productivity and create a thriving work environment.

A simple way to show appreciation is by offering benefits tailored to what your workforce truly needs -and this will be different for every business. For instance, during financially challenging times, why not offer support through interest-free loans for essential household items? Or consider benefits that support significant life events, like pet-adoption assistance, fertility support, or valuable advice for first-time homebuyers. These kinds of benefits show that you value your employees as whole people, not just for their job titles.

When employees feel appreciated beyond their roles, they become more empathetic, collaborative, and likely to spread positive energy throughout the workplace. Just as low morale can drag down productivity, a culture of appreciation can uplift it, creating a ripple effect that enhances overall business performance.

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