Is burnout the best business model?

This article critically examines the "burnout shop" business model exemplified by companies like Amazon, which prioritizes worker dedication and self-sacrifice for corporate success. Dr. Cristina Banks and Dr. Christina Maslach argue that while this approach reflects American individualism, it carries significant hidden costs. They identify three main issues:

1. The transformation of short-term sprints into unsustainable marathons, leading to long-term health and psychological consequences.
2. The potential for competitive feedback systems to create toxic work environments and undermine collaboration.
3. The lack of metrics to measure the human cost of business success, rendering worker suffering invisible.

The authors question the viability of this model and call for alternative approaches that balance worker well-being with business success. They suggest that interdisciplinary research, such as that conducted by HealthyWorkplaces at UC Berkeley, can lead to more sustainable workplace models that benefit both employees and businesses in the long term.