Employee Wellbeing and Mental Health: The New Priority in HRM

Imagine you receive a salary increase. For a moment, it feels exciting rewarding, even validating. It may even boost your motivation for a short while. But a few weeks later, nothing really feels different. The same stress, the same pressure, and the same exhaustion quietly return. This raises a question that has become increasingly important in modern workplaces: Can money actually buy happiness at work? Why Money Still Matters Let’s be clear money does matter. A fair salary provides security, stability, and a sense of recognition. It allows employees to meet their needs, reduce financial stress, and feel valued for their contributions (Judge et al., 2010). In HRM, compensation has traditionally been seen as a primary motivator. Higher pay is often linked to better retention, improved performance, and increased satisfaction. It can also create a sense of fairness and equity within organizations, which is essential for maintaining trust (Herzberg, 1968). And to a certain exten...

Work from home sounds like the ideal setup no commute, flexible hours, and the comfort of your own space. For many employees, it initially feels like a major improvement in work life balance. This shift became especially prominent during the global transition caused by COVID-19, where remote work was no longer optional but necessary. What began as a temporary response quickly evolved into a long-term working model across many organizations (Kniffin et al., 2021). When Home Becomes the Workplace and Nothing More Working from home blurs the line between personal life and professional life. The same space where you relax, eat, and unwind becomes your office. At first, this feels convenient. But over time, it can create a sense of monotony and emotional detachment, especially for employees who transitioned suddenly during the pandemic without preparation or structured support (Wang et al., 2021). Unlike traditional offices, there’s no clear start or end to the day. There’s also no na...

“Stay busy, keep going.” These messages are everywhere across workplaces, social media, and even in everyday conversations. Over time, they have begun to shape how we define success. Working long hours and constantly pushing oneself is often praised, contributing to what is widely known as hustle culture (Petersen, 2021). At first glance, this mindset can feel motivating. It encourages ambition, discipline, and a strong work ethic. However, over time, it can create an environment where rest is seen as laziness and overworking becomes the norm. In my view, this is where the problem begins when productivity is no longer about meaningful output, but about how much pressure a person can tolerate. When Productivity Becomes Toxic Productivity, by itself, is not harmful. In fact, it is essential for both personal and organizational success. However, it becomes toxic when there is constant pressure to achieve more without considering personal limits. Employees may begin to feel tha...

Have you ever been in a meeting where you had an idea but chose not to share it? Not because it wasn’t valuable, but because you were unsure how it would be received. This kind of silence is more common than we might think. In many workplaces, employees hold back their thoughts, questions, or concerns due to fear of negative reactions. It is within this context that the concept of psychological safety becomes especially important. Understanding Psychological Safety Psychological safety refers to an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of embarrassment, rejection, or punishment. It is not about always agreeing with one another, but about feeling safe enough to speak honestly. More recent research highlights psychological safety as a key factor in employee voice, learning, and team performance in modern organizations (Edmondson & Lei, 2014). When this sense of safety is present, employees are more willing to share ideas, ask questio...

“Ever wake up after a full night’s sleep and still feel completely drained like the day hasn’t even started, yet you’re already exhausted?” That feeling is not just stress; it is often a sign of burnout, and it is becoming increasingly common in today’s workplaces. In modern organizations, where performance and productivity are constantly emphasized, burnout has quietly emerged as a serious issue. It does not only affect employees it impacts the entire organization. This is why, within Human Resource Management, employee wellbeing and mental health are now receiving greater attention. When job demands exceed an employee’s capacity, the risk of burnout increases significantly (Valcour, 2016, 2018). What Is Burnout, Really? Burnout is not simply about feeling tired after a long day; it goes much deeper than that. It is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that develops gradually due to prolonged workplace stress. Importantly, burnout has been officially recogni...