A Wake-Up Call
A few years ago, I was rushed to the ER with a dangerously high fever, only to learn that I had kidney stones—one so large that it blocked my ureter, leading to a severe infection and sepsis. My left kidney was significantly damaged, and I had to undergo a series of medical procedures to recover. The experience was brutal. My body swung between burning hot and freezing cold as my nurses worked tirelessly to stabilize me. And, yet, through it all, I kept working.
I never told my boss I was hospitalized. I met deadlines, responded to emails, and stayed on top of my deliverables, never even considering stepping away. Looking back, present-day “me” is saddened by the “me” back then. I felt so much pressure to produce. I’d worked so hard to get my position, and I certainly didn’t want to let anyone down. I put work ahead of nearly everything in my life—even above my own health.
But what would have happened if I had taken a step back? If I had used my sick leave or temporarily reduced my workload? Likely nothing significant. My boss would have understood. The reality is, the pressure to work through serious illness wasn’t imposed by my employer—it was something I placed on myself.
The Cost of Overworking
An unhealthy relationship with work doesn’t just impact individuals; it takes a toll on organizations, too. When employees lack boundaries, stress and burnout inevitably follow, leading to lower efficiency, higher absenteeism, and increased turnover. Research consistently shows that burnout is linked to greater sick leave usage and higher intent to leave a job.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to create a culture where employees feel empowered to set healthy work-life boundaries. Here’s how managers can foster a more balanced workplace:
5 Strategies for Creating a Healthier Workplace Culture
- Provide flexibility and personal control. One of the strongest predictors of work-life balance is having some control over one’s schedule. Flexibility is a form of currency in today’s workplace. Offering remote work options, flexible schedules, or compressed workweeks allows employees to integrate work and personal responsibilities. A caregiver needing to take a child or elderly parent to a doctor’s appointment should feel supported in doing so—without guilt or fear of repercussions.
- Encourage employee participation. Employees who have autonomy in decision-making tend to experience lower stress and greater job satisfaction. Giving employees a voice in decisions that affect their work increases their sense of ownership, reduces ambiguity, and fosters engagement.
- Check in on employee well-being. Managers should regularly ask team members how they are managing their workload and stress levels. Creating an open dialogue about well-being can help leaders make necessary adjustments—whether that means redistributing tasks based on employee strengths or providing additional training to reduce frustration and inefficiency.
-
Avoid a culture of overwork. We’ve all been in situations where we’re burning the midnight oil as we fight to meet a big deadline. This should be the exception, however—not the norm. An inclusive leader should discourage routine overtime and set the expectation that employees should log off at a reasonable hour. By humanizing the workplace, employees will come to know that their leaders genuinely care about their well-being as a person, not just an employee. This translates over time to better retention and productivity.
-
Normalize rest and time off. Employees shouldn’t feel hesitant to take PTO, mental health days, or even a proper lunch break. Leaders can reinforce this by respecting work hours and avoiding nonurgent messages outside of them. Cultivating this type of empathy in your leadership style strengthens organizational success by creating a more productive, engaged workforce.
The Bigger Picture
Healthy work-life boundaries aren’t just beneficial for employees—they’re good for business. Organizations that promote balance experience lower turnover, higher job satisfaction, and better overall performance. Without these boundaries, burnout becomes inevitable, and that serves no one.
Leaders have the power to set the tone. When employees feel supported in maintaining a healthy balance, they bring their best selves to work—without sacrificing their well-being in the process.