The cost of always being 'on' in the workplace

Ever found yourself checking emails at 10 pm, telling yourself 'just one more'? Or maybe you’ve caught yourself praising a colleague for always being available - whether it’s responding instantly to messages, taking last-minute calls, or staying late just to be seen 'on the ball'.

You’re not alone - many of us have been there, caught up in the rush to do more, be more, and hustle harder.

It seems harmless at first - but before you know it, you’re part of the hustle culture that dominates many organisations today. And while it might feel like it’s driving productivity, it could be doing more harm than good.

Hustle culture isn’t just a buzzword - it's a way of working that has become so ingrained that we don’t even question it anymore.

But the real question is, what impact does this have on engagement, wellbeing, and psychological safety in the workplace?

The problem with the hustle hype

Let's be honest: hustle culture makes for great headlines and LinkedIn posts. There’s something attractive about 'always on', 'grinding', and the idea that hard work equals success. 

Organisations tend to celebrate those who stay late, work weekends, and appear constantly busy. It can feel like a badge of honour - a sign of commitment and dedication. But at what cost?

Sure, the hustle mindset can lead to quick wins and fast results, but it also paves the way for burnout, disengagement, and low creativity or problem solving capacity. 

When 'busyness' is celebrated above all else, people push beyond their limits, leaving little room for rest, reflection, or innovation. 

Employees feel like they have to keep up or risk being seen as less valuable - and that can quickly lead to a toxic work environment.

How hustle culture kills engagement

When people hustle to the point of exhaustion, they lose the ability to bring their best to work. Engagement isn’t about the number of hours put in; it’s about the quality of those hours. 

When hustle culture takes over, it’s also hard to maintain a sense of fulfilment and purpose.

Instead of being excited about their work, employees become reactive, focused on ticking off tasks and or sitting in never-ending meetings. 

This drains energy and erodes engagement over time. And it's not just the overworked that suffer - emerging talent sees the culture around them and may quickly become disillusioned or feel they need to match this unhealthy style of working to succeed.

Psychological safety: The hidden casualty

Psychological safety is the key to fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

It's what allows employees to speak up, share ideas, take risks, and even admit when they need help - without fear of criticism or retaliation. But in a hustle-driven environment, safety often takes a back seat.

If your organisation celebrates constant late-night emails and being 'always available', employees quickly get the message: Silence your struggles. Keep going. Don’t show weakness. 

This means they’re less likely to speak up when they’re overwhelmed, less likely to ask for support, and far less likely to offer bold ideas or constructive feedback.

Over time, this kills collaboration and creativity, reducing the workforce to mere task-doers instead of thinkers and innovators.

Flipping the script: Effort, expertise and enthusiasm

So how do we break free from hustle culture? By focusing on a more holistic approach - something I call the "Effort, Expertise and Enthusiasm" formula from my book, Less Hustle, More Happy. Here’s how it works:

Effort - Working Hard, Not Always More

Yes, effort is essential. But just being busy does not necessarily equate to outcomes for an organisation.

Placing a greater focus on targeted effort is about recognising that the right kind of effort - focused, strategic, and aligned with clear goals - is what drives real results.

Expertise - Prioritising Mastery and Growth

Instead of encouraging people to simply 'hustle harder', create opportunities for them to grow and utilise their expertise.

By helping employees play to their strengths more, and further develop their skills, you not only empower them to be more effective in their roles but also instil a deeper sense of purpose and pride in their work.

Enthusiasm - Cultivating Passion and Purpose

Without enthusiasm, all the effort and expertise in the world won't matter.

Employees need to feel connected to their work, and that means finding ways to tap into what motivates them to work (beyond just paying their bills!) and what gives their work meaning.

Enthusiasm is contagious, and when people enjoy what they do and the contribution they can make - energy, engagement and performance lift. 

Retaining talent and getting the best out of them

Shifting away from hustle culture isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s critical for retaining your best people.

Today’s workforce, especially emerging talent, is looking for more than just a paycheck. They want growth, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

When organisations cultivate psychological safety, balanced effort, and enthusiasm, they become places where people want to stay, grow, and contribute over the long haul.

Burnout and disengagement lead to higher turnover and, ultimately, decreased performance. However, creating a culture that values wellbeing, fosters loyalty and builds a workplace where employees can bring their best selves to work, and still get results without selling their souls.

When you prioritise effort, expertise, and enthusiasm over relentless hustle, you don’t just get more work done. You get the right work done, by people who are motivated, happy, and eager to stay.