This new workplace buzzword has become increasingly popular because employees are now more overwhelmed by their workplace responsibilities than ever before. In fact, 66% of employees say the backlog of work is enough to prevent them from taking vacation. Nearly half (50%) say they feel guilty about taking vacation, and when they do finally do take time off, they often feel pressured to remain available. To avoid these feelings, employees have started taking “quiet vacations,” but this is a temporary solution that can make feelings of burnout even worse.

What are the similarities and differences between workplace trends like “quiet quitting,” “quiet vacation,” and “big exhaustion”? What impact do they have on employee morale and productivity?

The emergence of workplace trends such as “quiet quitting,” “quiet vacation,” and “the great exhaustion” exposes a fundamental problem within organizations related to the employee experience. These trends are often rooted in feelings of burnout, which affected 65% of employees in 2023. When employees lack the support of their organizations to maintain a positive work-life balance or flexibility within their roles, they often take matters into their own hands and play “skip the mouse” or withdraw completely. Employees who feel disconnected from their jobs and their companies are unable to make meaningful contributions and simply run on autopilot or in survival mode, focused solely on getting through the workday.

How can HR managers encourage employees to take full advantage of their paid vacation without making them feel pressured to remain available?

Company culture is defined by the way it’s promoted. If HR leaders say they care most about employee work-life balance and well-being, they should also advocate for those who take paid time off and recharge. HR leaders should be wary of the message they send to employees when they celebrate employees who are always available and work long hours, even when they’re on paid leave. HR teams can also keep a close eye on paid leave usage through HCM systems, identify when paid leave usage is relatively low, and encourage employees to take time off from work. One of the best ways to reinforce work-life balance and unwind during paid leave is to encourage leadership teams to lead by example. If supervisors make taking time off without an internet connection the norm, employees are likely to feel more comfortable doing the same. HR teams and business leaders play a critical role in fostering a culture of sustainable work-life balance that ensures employees can completely switch off without fear of negative consequences.

What basic strategies can HR leaders use to combat burnout in their workplace and foster a company culture that prioritizes employee well-being?

Although employee burnout rates have declined year-over-year, data shows it still affects nearly two-thirds of the workforce, and 72% of employees say it affects their performance. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to combat burnout, employers should focus on creating a better employee experience that positively impacts their workforce overall. Listening to employees is critical to better understanding how to address the unique needs of your workforce. Reports show that flexible work environments, self-service tools, self-help resources, and policies for communication outside of work hours are some of the key ways employers can combat burnout.

Companies can use pulse surveys to identify the biggest stressors among their employees and get a better idea of ​​their needs, while also investing in mental health resources like counseling services or EAPs. HR teams also need to work with middle managers to ensure employee workloads are manageable while maintaining realistic expectations and a transparent company culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up. Companies should lean on employee listening strategies to figure out how best to address burnout and invest in resources that meet those needs.

How can companies strike a balance between the demands of business operations and employees’ need to unwind and recharge?

Finding a balance between meeting the needs of the business and promoting work-life balance requires thoughtful strategies and policies. Trends like the quiet holiday, where employees feel the need to lie in order to recharge, are a stark reminder that prioritizing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace is just as important as meeting KPIs and deadlines. I recently spoke to one of our clients about the quiet holiday, who said she didn’t use her PTO benefits in her previous roles until 2020 because they weren’t communicated effectively. It’s critical for employers to focus on initiatives that increase employee wellbeing, as engaged employees can be up to 18% more productive.

Companies can foster a culture of well-being by implementing clear policies that support work-life balance, such as set work hours and PTO policies. This culture should be reinforced through initiatives such as recognition and rewards that recognize employee efforts, as well as wellness programs and open policies that create a transparent culture.