The Real Cost of Neglecting Wellbeing
“We don’t have time to focus on wellbeing right now.” This is a common objection I’ve encountered time and again over the last decade, especially during periods of high demand, restructuring, or budget cuts. It’s easy to understand why leaders might think this way—wellbeing can feel like a ‘nice-to-have’ luxury, rather than a ‘need-to-have’ business essential when other fires need putting out. But this mindset misses the bigger picture: neglecting wellbeing now creates even bigger problems later.
Neglecting wellbeing doesn’t just impact your team’s morale or job satisfaction (though those are important). It directly affects your bottom line. Stress-related absenteeism, presenteeism, high turnover rates, and reduced productivity are all linked to poor workplace wellbeing. By postponing wellbeing initiatives, you may be inadvertently creating an environment where stress, burnout, and disengagement thrive.
Example:
Imagine a company with a high-stakes project deadline looming. Employees are already working long hours, stress levels are creeping up, and tempers are beginning to flare. Management believes there’s no time for wellbeing initiatives because everyone needs to focus on the task at hand. Fast forward three months, and the project might be delivered, but at what cost? Productivity has dropped, absenteeism is up, and employee morale is at rock bottom. Now, they’re scrambling to fix burnout, increased staff turnover, and poor performance, all of which could have been avoided with a proactive approach to wellbeing.
Where has this happened?
This isn’t hypothetical. A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD, 2023) found that 79% of employees who work in organisations with poor wellbeing initiatives report experiencing mental health issues, and 25% of organisations that delay action on wellbeing see a significant rise in employee stress and absenteeism. What’s more, neuroscience research from Dr. John Medina shows that sustained stress impacts cognitive function, reducing productivity and decision-making abilities—exactly what a business under pressure can’t afford.
How can we implement wellbeing initiatives despite time constraints?
The key is to integrate wellbeing into the everyday flow of work, rather than treating it as an ‘extra’ activity. Start small—regular 10-minute wellbeing check-ins, creating quiet spaces for decompression, or encouraging micro-breaks can make a world of difference. You don’t need to overhaul the entire organisation overnight; by embedding wellbeing into daily habits, you prevent long-term damage and create a healthier, more engaged workforce.
Let’s talk…
If you’re thinking “we don’t have time for this,” chances are you need it more than ever. Let’s discuss how we can design simple, effective wellbeing strategies that fit into your current workload and help prevent bigger issues down the line. Reach out, and together, we can create a sustainable approach that works for your business now and in the future.
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