Start with this calming HR-friendly burnout check-in tool. It’s gentle, effective, and only takes 3 minutes

A calm and caring way for HR professionals and team leads to notice the early signs of team fatigue — and take supportive action.

Why a Gentle Check-In Matters

In today’s fast-paced workplace, stress can quietly build up beneath the surface — long before anyone raises their hand to ask for help. As HR leaders and workplace wellness champions, you're in a unique position to gently notice the early signs of burnout and create a culture of compassionate support.

This Gentle Burnout Check-In is a beginner-friendly tool designed to help you:

• Calmly observe subtle stress signals in your team

• Reflect on areas of imbalance without judgement

• Take small, restorative actions that protect mental and emotional wellbeing

You don’t need to be a mental health expert. You just need to start with awareness — and I am genuinely believe this guide will be a good starting point.

The Gentle Burnout Check-In (Checklist Format)

Section 1: Observing Team Energy

Use this as a soft scan of team mood or engagement during meetings, casual chats, or performance reviews.

☐ Team members seem quieter or more withdrawn than usual

☐ You notice frequent sighs, long pauses, or visible tiredness

☐ There's a drop in creativity, idea sharing, or problem-solving

☐ Tasks are being completed, but with less enthusiasm or care

☐ Fewer people volunteer for new projects or speak up in meetings

Section 2: Observing Work Patterns

This section is based on patterns you might notice over 1–2 weeks.

☐ Increase in sick days, late arrivals, or last-minute leave

☐ More frequent “Sorry, missed this” or delayed replies

☐ Overly short or vague communication, especially in chats or emails

☐ Signs of multitasking or “always-on” behavior during meetings

☐ Staff skipping lunch or back-to-back meetings with no breaks

Section 3: Emotional & Social Signals

These clues often surface during 1-on-1s or in team dynamics.

☐ Irritability, snappiness, or low patience

☐ Jokes about being “burnt out,” “dead tired,” “silent-quit”, “waiting for bonus” or “zoned out”

☐ Avoidance of social activities or casual team bonding or department lunch

☐ Emotional responses that feel out of proportion (tears, frustration)

☐ Self-doubt or a drop in confidence in otherwise capable team members

Section 4: Self-Reflection as HR / Manager

A gentle check-in with yourself, too. (While caring for others, remember to be kind and address your own feelings too, remember that you have no control over how someone feels or believes)

☐ You feel unsure how your team is really doing

☐ You’ve sensed something “off,” but haven’t had time to explore it

☐ You’ve noticed less emotional bandwidth — in yourself or others

☐ You’re carrying quiet concern about someone's wellbeing

☐ You wish you had a gentle, non-disruptive way to offer support

What to Do Next (in 3 Steps)

Step 1: Quiet Observation

• Choose 2–3 people or one small team to observe gently over the next few days

• Don’t look for “problems” — just notice patterns without judgement

Step 2: Reflect & Review

• After 2–3 days, check off what signs you’ve noticed in this guide

• If you check 5 or more boxes, it’s a signal to take light action

• Reflect on what your team might need more of: Rest? Connection? Clarity?

Step 3: Create Space for Reset

Choose one of these gentle interventions:

• Invite a “Reset Friday” (no meetings and/or end the day early)

• Host a short 45-min wellbeing session (soundbath, breathwork, quiet break)

• Schedule 1-on-1s to ask “How can I support you better?”

• Share this checklist with team leads for wider awareness

How You Know It's Working

After using the check-in:

• A team member says: “Thanks for checking in — I’ve been feeling off.”

• You notice more relaxed body language in meetings or chats

• People open up in 1-on-1s

• There’s a shift in tone — more lightness, more ease

• You feel more confident and connected as a people leader

Even one honest response or improved team moment is a clear sign of success.

Want a Calmer, More Connected Team?

Sometimes the best way to support your team is by giving them space to pause and reset — together.

At Gentle Habit Space, we bring deeply calming soundbath sessions directly to your office or offsite. These sessions use Himalayan singing bowls, alchemy singing bowls, gong, drums and various water instruments as sensory guidance to help your team:

• Release stress and overthinking

• Sleep better

• Feel reconnected and renewed

Let’s chat about creating a Restorative Reset Session for your team.