The hesitation around taking a break at work is something almost every employee has felt at some point. Many still pause before stepping away, often choosing to ask their managers instead of simply taking time off. Behind that hesitation lies a deeper problem, one that is not always visible to employers. Tight deadlines, constant pressure, endless tasks and back-to-back meetings have made work more demanding, often at the cost of mental health.
Now, as Gen Z begins to reshape workplace expectations, that pattern is slowly being challenged.
Across countries, companies are trying to present themselves as more employee-friendly, while a growing number of founders and startups are beginning to question older office norms, from fixed hours and desk presence to meeting-heavy routines.
One recent LinkedIn post by a UK-based founder has brought that conversation back into focus.
A SIMPLE MESSAGE THAT REVEALED A BIGGER WORKPLACE ISSUE
Ben Goodey, founder of a UK-based company, recently shared an exchange with one of his employees that many professionals found instantly relatable.
The employee had asked him, “Is it okay if I work this weekend instead of today? Not feeling my best.”
Goodey replied, “Of course, and you never need to ask at this company. You can work whenever you want.”
But what stayed with him was the employee’s next response.
“I know, but I still feel awkward if I don’t say.”
That one line captured something many workers still live with, the feeling that even when flexibility exists, it often does not feel fully available.
WHAT BURNOUT TAUGHT THE FOUNDER
In his LinkedIn post, Goodey said he understood that awkwardness immediately because he had once felt the same in every company he had worked for.
He wrote that years of pressure, perfectionism and hustle culture eventually pushed him into serious burnout.
According to him, workplace success often came with an unhealthy cost, always being available, constantly proving output and putting personal well-being last.
That experience, he said, changed how he wanted to work and eventually how he wanted to build a company.
When Goodey started his own business, Goodey said he wanted to create a workplace where employees did not feel guilty for needing rest, flexibility or personal space.
His company now follows a model that is increasingly gaining attention in modern work conversations:
- 4-day workweek
- No fixed working hours
- Work from anywhere in the world
- Outcomes over activity
In simple terms, the company is not interested in how long someone stays online or whether they appear “busy” enough. The focus, he said, is only on whether the work gets done.
He also said employees are encouraged to protect their mental health, say no when needed and avoid meetings that do not add value.
HOW SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONDED
Goodey’s post quickly drew reactions from professionals who said the employee’s discomfort felt all too familiar.
One user called the work culture described in the post “refreshing” and said too many companies still measure productivity by the number of hours employees remain tied to their desks.
Another said their own agency follows a similar culture, adding that people tend to work better when they feel trusted rather than monitored.
A third user wrote that the employee’s awkwardness was not really about trust, but about years of being conditioned to “perform availability” rather than simply focus on meaningful work.
Another person said modern jobs leave too little room for deep work because employees are often trapped in a cycle of unnecessary meetings and constant responsiveness.