New Research on Why Teams Overwork—and What Leaders Can Do About It

July 9, 2025, Updated July 14, 2025

HBR Staff Using AI

Summary.

Why do so many high-performing professionals keep working at a punishing pace, even when it damages their health, relationships, and personal well-being? And why do organizational attempts to curb these extreme work hours—no-email-after-hours policies, mental health initiatives, or wellness seminars—so often fail?

Ioana Lupu is a Professor at ESSEC Business School France and Director of the ESSEC Center for Responsible Performance. Her research focuses on well-being, diversity, and performance management in knowledge-intensive firms such as audit, consulting, and law firms. Her work explores how professionals navigate demanding organizational rhythms and how firms can foster healthier, more sustainable ways of working. Personal website: www.ioanalupu.com

Shanming Liu is an Assistant Professor at ESSEC Business School. His research explores how management control systems—such as performance evaluation, incentive design, and generative AI integration—shape creativity and ethical behavior, and influence gender bias in organizations. He also examines how these systems affect work-life balance and helps organizations build fairer, more effective approaches to managing people and innovation.

Read more on Organizational culture or related topics Work-life balance, Risk management, Balancing work and family, Wellness, Burnout, Mental health and Time-off policies

New Research on Why Teams Overwork—and What Leaders Can Do About It

Summary.

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