Break Time Blues: Heavy Workloads Discourage Employee Breaks

Imagine you’re standing in line at the amusement park, eagerly awaiting your turn on the roller coaster. You see the fear and excitement in the eyes of the riders ahead, and you can hardly contain your own anticipation. But as you inch closer to the front of the line, you start to doubt whether it’s worth it. Maybe this ride isn’t as thrilling as you imagined. Maybe you’d be better off skipping it altogether and moving on to the next attraction. Well, turns out employees in high-stress jobs feel a lot like that when it comes to taking breaks at work. A new study reveals that despite the overwhelming need for rest and recuperation, heavy workloads actually discourage employees from hitting the pause button. It’s like having a fast-paced job is akin to standing in that roller coaster line – even though you know you need a break, the pressure and demands of work make it seem more appealing to just keep going. And this reluctance to take breaks can lead to increased stress levels, fatigue, and poor job performance.

Now, you might think that taking regular breaks is a no-brainer when it comes to reducing stress and boosting productivity. But this research suggests it’s not that simple. The study found that when employees feel overwhelmed by their workload, they are less likely to take breaks because they perceive them as a luxury they can’t afford. They fear falling behind on their tasks or appearing lazy in the eyes of their colleagues or supervisors. So instead of recouping their energy and refocusing their minds, they soldier on through the stress and fatigue, often leading to burnout.