Expert: Workplace wellbeing depends on clarity and humanity, not bonuses

Companies increasingly talk about employee wellbeing, yet burnout, stress and staff turnover remain widespread, says Vilmārs Vjakse of "Rocket Bean". He argues that flexible hours, perks and team events only address surface-level issues, while a genuinely healthy work environment is a system that allows people to work long-term without burning out.

Uncertainty breeds stress

One of the most common but least recognized workplace problems is uncertainty over priorities and decision-making. This forces employees to spend energy interpreting management's intentions instead of focusing on their work, fueling long-term burnout. According to Gallup, 59% of employees in Latvia believe now is a good time to change jobs, signaling widespread insecurity in the workplace.

Safety as a precondition

Psychological safety — being able to ask questions and admit mistakes without fear of consequences — determines whether employees truly engage with their work. Gallup data shows only 12% of employees in Europe are genuinely engaged, pointing to widespread low emotional attachment to work.

Life outside work as protection

Hobbies and social life outside work help prevent burnout, but in Latvia the boundary between work and personal life is often blurred. A Gallup study found that 37% of employees in Latvia experience high daily stress, a significant increase in recent years.

The manager's role

Vjakse stresses that a team's climate is largely shaped by its manager, whose own clarity or confusion directly transfers to the team. A good manager, he says, is not only supportive but also demanding, expecting results while providing clarity and development opportunities. In his view, wellbeing is not a one-off project but an everyday management practice rooted in humanity, mutual respect and genuine interest in people.