During the recession, businesses had to do more with less. For employees, the consequences were very predictable: more work, more responsibilities and more hours. As we’ve pulled away from recession, many of those responsibilities have remained. Being stressed has become the norm, and being busy has become a badge of honour. But today’s employees aren’t only overworked; they’re overwhelmed. That’s primarily because of technology, and the incessant flow of information from a variety of channels.

1. OVERWORKED, OVERWHELMED,
OVER-CONNECTED

2. DURING THE RECESSION
BUSINESSES HAD TO DO
MORE WITH LESS. THE
RESULT WAS MORE WORK,
MORE RESPONSIBILITIES
AND MORE HOURS
The aim of this whitepaper

3. THE OVERWHELMED
EMPLOYEE
What does it mean?
-
-
-
Why does it matter?
Employees can’t
find what they need
Concentration levels
are at an all-time
low
Overwhelmed
means less
productive

4. Being overworked
and overwhelmed is
a serious barrier to
creativity
‘Busy’ has become a
badge of honour
Are employers
doing enough to
combat the
problem?
The short answer is
no
This represents a huge
challenge to business leaders,
but also, a huge opportunity.
OVERWHELMED MEANS
LESS CREATIVE

5. Simplify the
workplace
Assess time against
value
Create small teams Simplify employee
systems
HOW TO MAKE LIFE EASIER
FOR THE OVERWHELMED
EMPLOYEE

6. Implement regular
breaks
Offer flexibility
Make time for
‘nothing’
Create physical
spaces for breaks
HOW TO MAKE LIFE EASIER
FOR THE OVERWHELMED
EMPLOYEE

7. An adage of the
digital age is
‘always be
connected’
The solution is
complex
Sources
IN SUMMARY