As we mark International Stress Awareness Week (November 3–7, 2025), the spotlight is on how workplace stress and mental health challenges continue to quietly undermine productivity. One of the most telling yet often ignored signs of employee burnout is “clockwatching”: when staff mentally disengage and count down the hours instead of performing at their best.

According to Karin Mitchelmore, Executive Head of Healthcare Consulting at advisory firm NMG Benefits, this behaviour is more than a sign of boredom, it’s a red flag for deeper wellbeing issues that can cost businesses millions through absenteeism, presenteeism, and reduced performance.

“When employees feel unsupported, they mentally check out long before the end of the day,” says Mitchelmore. “Effective Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provide access to counselling, wellness resources, and stress management tools helping employees feel valued and reconnected. Supporting mental health isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s key to building resilient, high-performing teams.”

We’d like to offer Karin Mitchelmore for an interview to unpack:

• How stress and burnout manifest as disengagement and clockwatching.
• The financial and cultural impact of presenteeism on South African workplaces.
• Why tailored Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are critical for productivity and retention.
• Practical ways employers can support mental wellbeing during International Stress Awareness Week and beyond.

If this is of interest to you or your audience, please let me know and I will arrange the necessary logistics.