Prioritizing Employee Well-being Over Return to Office Strategy

For over 15 years, I've passionately advocated for employee well-being. My first co-authored paper on the subject, "Better Work, Better Life," sought to convince leaders to support their teams because it's the right thing to do. As leaders continue to navigate the 'return to office' strategies, it's crucial to remember that the issue isn't merely the location of work.

The real problem? Not where we work, but how we work and how we holistically support our employees' well-being. This is not just a reactive measure but as a proactive, preventative stance. The clear impact of burnout on organizational functioning is undeniable. In the organizations I work with, the signs are stark.

A few statistics to back this up:

High-risk mental health in the working population jumped from 14% in 2019 to 23% in 2023.

41% of workers felt more sensitive to stress in 2022 compared to 2019, with 42% observing this heightened sensitivity in coworkers.

Source: TELUS Health’s Mental Health Index (MHI).

According to The Geneva Associtation Study, “Finding Peace of Mind: Mental Health and Insurance”:

Post-COVID-19 ushered in an extra 53 million cases of depressive symptoms and 76 million anxiety disorders.

By 2030, mental health challenges are projected to cost a staggering USD 6 trillion in health expenses and lost productivity.

Poor mental health isn't just an emotional burden—it's linked with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% escalated risk of stroke. Despite the common misconception, well-being isn't a nebulous concept. Resources like the Surgeon General's Workplace Wellbeing Report chart out concrete solutions and routes to improvement.

As leaders, the mandate is clear. Beyond debating the logistics of physical workspace returns, our primary focus should be creating environments, whether remote or on-site, that genuinely champion well-being. This isn't merely compassionate—it's strategic risk mitigation. Leaders must prioritize well-being not as a luxury but as a necessity for thriving organizations.

Inspired by from the recent DMEC session, “Mental Health Culture Shift: Addressing it From the Top Down” with Paula Allen, Joe Grasso, Ph.D., Adrita Bhattacharya-Craven, and Daniel Iskra. And a nod to Cali Williams Yost, whose wisdom reminded us years and years ago: it's about the how, not just the where.