The boundary between professional and personal life has never been more blurred. As Dr. Alexander Lovell, Research Director at the O.C. Tanner Institute, reveals in HRchat episode 821, employees worldwide are increasingly operating in “survival mode” rather than thriving at work, and the consequences extend far beyond productivity metrics.
Alex introduces guest host Dr. Bill Howatt us to the “Survival Continuum“, a framework that maps the journey from mere survival to genuine thriving. This isn’t a simple binary state but rather a nuanced spectrum where employees can experience varying degrees of struggle or fulfillment. Through extensive research, his team has identified three critical pillars determining where employees fall on this continuum: compensation, healthcare access, and the often-underestimated power of belonging.
The financial reality for many workers is sobering. While executives might imagine employees dreaming of lavish vacations, Dr. Lovell’s research reveals most simply hope for “not having an empty bank account by the end of the month.” This disconnect between perception and reality represents a significant blind spot for leaders trying to address workplace wellbeing.
Perhaps most illuminating is the discussion around mental health stigma. Despite increased awareness, employees continue to mask anxiety and depression behind more palatable terms like “burnout” or “feeling tired“. This linguistic substitution reveals how far we still need to go in normalizing authentic mental health conversations in professional settings. Meanwhile, the cost of presenteeism—being physically present but mentally elsewhere—exceeds absenteeism costs by 7.5 times.
For HR professionals feeling overwhelmed by these challenges, Dr. Lovell offers practical starting points. Begin by taking inventory of existing resources, then focus on creating genuine belonging through recognition and leader modeling of appropriate vulnerability.
Ready to help your team move from survival to thriving? Subscribe to the HRchat show and Dr Bill’s new podcast, Exploring Workplace Mental Health, for more insights on creating workplaces where belonging and wellbeing drive sustainable performance.