What if you left your office feeling better than when you arrived?

Nearly half of Gen Z say they’re anxious or stressed most of the time at work (Vantage Fit, 2024). And while burnout isn’t new, the good news is we know what works.

Patty's Point of View

What if you left your office feeling better than when you arrived?

Nearly half of Gen Z say they’re anxious or stressed most of the time at work (Vantage Fit, 2024). And while burnout isn’t new, the good news is we know what works.

Here's where research points us:

The strategies look a lot like the ones I’ve shared in my neurodiversity article: natural light, plants, calming colors, softer materials, and quiet spaces for mental resets. These design choices help neurodiverse employees manage sensory input and they help everyone manage stress.
Support services like teletherapy, employee assistance programs, and wellness coaching aren’t “extras” anymore. Research highlighted in Forbes and OSHA’s workplace stress guidance shows they reduce sick days, improve retention, and boost performance.
Perhaps the biggest shift is cultural. Organizations that foster psychological safety, encourage regular breaks, and normalize mental health days are seeing measurable gains in engagement, creativity, and resilience. When employees can talk about challenges without fear of judgment and have the resources to address them, they’re better equipped to do their best work.
When wellness becomes a core part of your culture, it turns from a “nice-to-have” into a competitive advantage. The companies designing for well-being today will be the ones thriving tomorrow.

Interview with Principal Client:

What have you incorporated into your office to address neurodiversity and stress management?

We’ve made a few thoughtful changes that help everyone breathe a little easier:

Added small conference rooms so people can grab a quiet spot to focus or collaborate without feeling like they’re in a fishbowl.
Created social areas for chatting, checking email, or just relaxing.
Encourage open, judgment-free conversations about challenges.
Flexible start and end times, with core hours of 9–5.
Breaks are “choose your own adventure” style, listen to music, go for a walk, or meditate.

Office Works Pattys Point of View Stress Wellness Image 2

Do you have Gen Z in your office? If so, do you see stress and anxiety in that generation?

Absolutely. And they’re not alone, stress seems to be an equal-opportunity visitor in the workplace.
Gen Z tends to multitask like pros, working from home with kids, watching videos while working, and juggling 14 tabs open at once.
The flip side? It can make focus harder, especially without enough support spaces.
Balancing deadlines and workloads without burnout is tricky for all generations.

Office Works Pattys Point of View Stress Wellness Image 3

How are you addressing wellness and culture initiatives?

We try to make well-being feel less like a corporate program and more like part of daily life:

Flexible lunches, and if someone skips lunch, they can leave earlier.
Birthday celebrations, lunch-and-learns, and monthly project reviews.
A “lunch club” for employees to connect.
A hands-on intern program, site visits, and a first-week mini project to help them meet people and feel part of the team.

The takeaway? We’ll keep finding ways to help our team manage stress, connect with each other, and enjoy work a little more.

Your Turn

What’s one small change your workplace has made that’s had a big impact on well-being?

Patty Clark

Patty Clark, Director of Workplace Services at OfficeWorks, combines expertise in workplace strategy, design, and change management to create spaces that enhance culture, productivity, and employee experience.

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