Lonely, Burned Out, and Checked Out: How HR Can Fight Back

Session Description

Today’s workforce is facing a silent crisis: employees are feeling increasingly disconnected, emotionally exhausted, and disengaged from their work. Remote and hybrid environments, constant digital communication, rising workloads, and limited work-life boundaries have intensified feelings of loneliness and burnout across industries. These challenges directly impact productivity, retention, collaboration, innovation, and overall organizational culture.

This presentation explores how Human Resources leaders can recognize the warning signs of employee isolation, burnout, and disengagement and implement meaningful strategies to rebuild connection, resilience, and purpose at work. The session will examine the psychological and organizational factors underlying these issues, while providing practical HR solutions that support employee well-being and sustainable performance.

Attendees will learn how to create healthier workplace cultures through empathetic leadership, mental health support, employee recognition, flexible work practices, stronger communication, and community-building initiatives. The presentation also highlights how HR can move from reactive problem-solving to proactive people-centered leadership.

Speaker

Devin C. Hughes

Devin C. Hughes isn’t your typical leadership speaker, unless your typical speaker mixes TED-worthy storytelling, sharp humor, and a proven track record with organizations ranging from Disney to the Department of Defense.

An award-winning speaker and globally recognized expert on workplace culture and team dynamics, Devin helps leaders move past checkbox engagement and build environments where people actually want to show up, speak up, and stay. He’s known for calling out stale culture (kindly, but honestly) and replacing it with connection, belonging, and trust.

No corporate fluff. No PowerPoint fatigue. Just real talk, bold ideas, and a human-first approach that sticks, delivered with insight, warmth, and just enough humor to keep everyone off their email.

Named one of Peoplehum’s Top 200 Thought Leaders to Watch in 2025, Devin holds degrees from Colgate University and Southern New Hampshire University and has worked with Fortune 100 companies, startups, and mission-driven organizations alike.

He doesn’t just talk about better workplaces; he helps build them.

PENDING APPROVAL FOR 1 SHRM AND HRCI GENERAL CREDIT
FREE for Members; $25 for Non-Members