Ending the Infinite Workday: How Leaders Can Combat Burnout

For a generation of young professionals, the line between work and life has vanished entirely. Fuelled by constant connectivity and the relentless dopamine-fuelled need to check notifications, many feel trapped in what can only be described as the "infinite workday."

This isn't just about long hours; it's the mental burden of always being available, the feeling that the workday never truly ends. The result is a silent epidemic of burnout, chipping away at well-being, creativity, and engagement.

The challenge for senior management is how to foster a culture of productivity without requiring constant availability?

The answer, according to industry leaders we polled, isn't about working less, but about working smarter—and with better boundaries.

The Power of the End-of-Day Ritual

One of the most powerful changes a team can make is to create a clear, intentional ending to the workday. This isn't just about closing a laptop; it's a mental and emotional signal that it's time to switch off. Ann Smyth, a leadership coach, calls this a “deliberate close.” She explains that it’s a “neuroscience-informed boundary that teaches the brain to switch off.”

This is something Sue Kohn-Taylor, a professional development expert, has put into practice with great success. She implemented a simple "shutdown ritual" for her team.

Invest in real versus 'fake' dopamine

At a set time a couple of days a week, her team collectively finishes for the day. But before they log off, "they all share one win or gratitude on their chat, and then close laptops and leave work for the day." This simple act signals a clear end to the workday and helps everyone disconnect.

Leading by Example

A leader can set all the rules they want, but if they don't follow them, the rules mean nothing. The most common advice from experts is that leaders must go first. Bronwen Sciortino, CEO of sheIQ Life, says it plainly: "You have to log off. You have to stop replying late at night."

She explains that when leaders “model what healthy looks like,” it gives everyone else "permission for everyone else to do the same—and that’s where burnout begins to ease.”

This is a point echoed by Shona Hamilton, an HR CEO, who says, "I fully expect my team to switch off when they go home, because that's what I want too." She and her team maintain strong boundaries with their clients, which means “there is no need for us to be available all the time.”

By setting these expectations and living by them, leaders can create a culture where rest is not only allowed but expected.

Setting Clear Boundaries with Communication

A major driver of the infinite workday is the expectation of instant replies. The constant pings and notifications can make it feel impossible to disconnect. Many of the leaders who responded have tackled this head-on by creating a new rulebook for communication.

Jennifer Maxson, a leadership coach, says her team now has “clear expectations for all types of communication.” Her team makes it clear when work hours end, and they use tools like “scheduling emails to be delivered during work hours” to help.

Angela McGuire, a Chief Strategy Officer, agrees, noting that a simple change is "scheduling emails and messages to be sent during work hours instead of going out after hours."

Many young professionals "feel pressure to prove they belong and keep up with every demand.”

Paige Arnof-Fenn, a CEO, encourages her team to "disconnect from work e-mail/text during personal/family time" and gives them “permission to say no.” She emphasizes that leaders must set this example, respecting their own time as seriously as they respect their most important clients.

Kerry Madgwick, a health and well-being CEO, summarizes this well by saying this approach "signals that rest and downtime are expected" and helps people "reclaim personal time and prevents the expectation of 24/7 responsiveness."

The Culture of Real Downtime

Ending the infinite workday is about more than just setting boundaries; it's about changing the fundamental mindset around work and rest.

Kyme Dang, an Executive Wellness Coach, makes "committing one full day of rest per week non-negotiable." She encourages her team to invest in “real versus fake dopamine in hopes to form and nurture strong communal bonds.” This helps people stay grounded in a world where technology can often feel overwhelming.

Nicky Lloyd Greame, MD of The Stress Specialist, agrees that "superheroes need downtime too." Her approach is to encourage a culture that has "peaks and valleys, not constant mountain climbing." This can be done with simple changes like "meeting-free days," "no back-to-back meetings," and encouraging "actual lunch breaks away from desks.”

A New Definition of Success

Ultimately, the problem of the infinite workday comes down to how we define success. As Stacy Brookman, a leadership and resilience coach, explains, many young professionals "feel pressure to prove they belong and keep up with every demand.”

The need to be "always on" becomes a "badge of honor rather than a red flag." However, this mindset eventually chips away at creativity and purpose. The solution, she says, is to build a new definition of value as "thoughtful execution and clear priorities," rather than constant presence.

The experience of our lives is not what happens to us, but how we think about what happens to us, says Rob Dubin, a keynote speaker. This sentiment captures the shift in mindset that is needed to truly tackle burnout.

When leaders prioritize rest, set clear boundaries, and redefine what it means to be a valuable employee, they not only protect their teams from burnout but also create a more resilient, engaged, and truly productive workforce for the long term.