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Being part of a rapidly growing organisation can be exhilarating; as we realise collective ambitions, are encouraged to think big, and gain valuable new teammates, manpower, and expertise! However, rapid growth can bring significant challenges with it too, often creating high-pressure environments where burnout and stress-related absence are common.
To grow sustainably, organisations must prioritise employee wellbeing and resilience. Cultures that support good mental health and wellbeing—in which communication across all levels is clear, open, and feels safe—provide the foundation required to maintain employee productivity, engagement, and morale whilst scaling.
As a leading workplace wellbeing provider, Luminate has extensive experience in designing and implementing strategies to maintain wellbeing in rapidly growing organisations. 👉 Read our PolyAI case study to see our work in action. 👈 So, here are some pragmatic suggestions to help proactively avoid burnout and maintain staff wellbeing in a fast-paced, scaling business:
Promote a culture where screen-free lunch breaks and finishing work on time are the norm, not the exception. Some might think it counterintuitive, but research consistently shows that taking breaks enhances productivity, energy, and creativity.
People managers/team leaders play a pivotal role in setting this standard. Role modelling healthy behaviours normalises these habits for the general workforce. Clear communication (via internal comms, in the employee handbook, in manager/report conversations, etc.) is essential too: to convey that overwork is discouraged and to empower employees to prioritise rest and renewal where possible.
Directly address workplace stress by running a workshop on stress management. Acknowledging and validating the issue of employee stress is crucial in helping your teams feel supported. Workshops can help employees recognise the specific signs of stress in themselves (called a person’s stress signature) and identify the stress management tools and techniques that work best for them.
Put the company’s stance on and processes around stress in writing with a formal stress and burnout policy. This might include guidance on where employees can find support, the process for taking stress-related leave, and the steps for a supported return to work.
Not only will the policy serve as a practical resource and a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to wellbeing, but creating it will be a valuable exercise for your people teams—to consider all potential stress-related scenarios and establish clear, consistent protocols, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
To ensure its effectiveness, make the policy easy to access for employees and leaders alike—include it in onboarding materials, employee handbooks, and on internal platforms.
Train managers to spot the signs and symptoms of high stress and poor mental health. Providing formal training can help team leaders develop the language and confidence to support their reports when they’re struggling and to keep themselves well.
Additionally, training can advise your managers on how to create a psychologically safe culture—one in which individuals feel safe enough to take risks (i.e. share new ideas, ask questions, raise concerns, and admit mistakes) without fear of negative repercussions. Psychological safety enables people to feel safe enough to speak up if stress is getting on top of them, which is crucial in a rapidly growing business.
Learn more in our article 👉 Cultivating Psychological Safety: 6 Simple Strategies for Managers.
Celebrating milestones and recognising employee contributions can be motivational and energising, reinforcing a sense of shared success. Demonstrate to employees that their contributions are valued and appreciated through:
These moments of appreciation don’t have to cost a lot of time or money. As the adage goes, it’s the thought that counts.
Onboarding is a critical opportunity to set the tone for a supportive workplace. A robust onboarding process provides clarity on the employee’s role, the roles of who they’ll be interfacing with, employer expectations, feedback channels, and available wellbeing resources/support.
When employees feel informed and supported from day one, they’re more likely to feel comfortable in their roles, in their teams, and adapt to the pace of a growing organisation.
Flexibility is one of the most impactful ways to support employee wellbeing. Whether it’s remote work, flexible hours, or a hybrid model, offering autonomy over how and when work gets done helps reduce stress, improve work-life balance, and maximise productivity.
Offering flexibility is particularly beneficial for working parents, employees with other caring responsibilities, and staff with disabilities. This enables employees to focus their energy on their work, rather than battling unnecessary logistical challenges.
During periods of rapid change, it’s easy to set overly ambitious targets that inadvertently increase stress. Instead, establish clear priorities, provide guidance, and welcome feedback to ensure goals are realistic and achievable.
Encourage open communication so employees feel comfortable asking questions, seeking clarity, and raising concerns. Once again, creating a psychologically safe environment helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures expectations are manageable.
By taking visible steps to nurture wellbeing, you’re already making a powerful impact. Research commissioned by Mind Forward Alliance UK found that “when executives addressed the issue [of workplace mental health and wellbeing] openly, 85 per cent of their workers felt supported, compared with only 31 per cent when they did not [i.e. it was addressed but not publicly].”
Focusing on wellbeing not only supports the long-term health and happiness of your team but also drives sustainable growth, with new research confirming that organisations that nurture employee wellbeing outperform the market.
If your organisation could benefit from tailored wellbeing support, please get in touch. As a trusted workplace wellbeing provider, Luminate partners with businesses of all sizes and industries to create thriving, resilient workplaces.
