A nationally representative study of 2,000 US workers has confirmed a persistent mental health crisis in the workforce. The 2026 Workplace Wellbeing Report, conducted by the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society in partnership with YouGov, found that 61 percent of employees are currently languishing—a four percent increase from August 2024.
Languishing, characterized by low engagement and psychological distress, is not confined to specific demographics. The study reveals that this state strongly predicts serious negative outcomes, including emotional burnout and increased turnover intentions. For a lab manager, these findings highlight a critical need to move beyond simply measuring the absence of illness to actively promoting flourishing.
Leveraging empowered squads for workplace wellbeing
The research identifies a dramatic "Empowered Squad" effect on employee health. Flourishing rates reach 68 percent in environments characterized by high autonomy and strong social support. Conversely, in neglected environments with low autonomy and support, flourishing drops to just six percent—a 10-fold difference.
Workplace dynamics often matter more than individual traits. Oscar Ybarra, PhD, Corey Keyes, PhD, and Ethan Kross, PhD, the principal investigators of the study, noted that flourishing employees are also nearly twice as likely to work in organizations with strong ethical expectations and accountability.
Implementing the 3 Rs to manage laboratory stress
While organizational structure is vital, the report also identifies specific, learnable behaviors that distinguish flourishing workers from their languishing peers. Termed "The 3 Rs," these emotional regulation strategies help individuals interrupt the stress cycle before it compounds.
Reframe
Flourishing employees are 2.5 times more likely to practice cognitive reappraisal. This involves taking a step back to look at the bigger picture or looking for a silver lining in challenging situations rather than catastrophizing.
Reach out
Social connection is a key coping strategy. Approximately 68 percent of flourishers regularly interact with others when work becomes difficult, seeking perspective or comfort from colleagues and mentors.
Reset
Active restoration is the final pillar. Flourishing staff are more likely to use physical movement, such as stepping outside for a walk or practicing mindfulness, to manage job stress.
Building more resilient lab teams through autonomy and support
To combat the 61 percent languishing rate, a lab manager should focus on creating the conditions where the 3 Rs can be practiced. This includes providing flexible breaks, ensuring psychological safety, and protecting time for deep focus.
Because supervisor quality is a primary predictor of team health, organizations should prioritize training for lab managers and department heads. By building empowered squads—providing staff with real say in their work while offering consistent backing—labs can significantly reduce the risk of burnout and turnover.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
