Behind every job responsibility is a real human - a person with a whole life in and out of work, someone with their own challenges, worries, and goals.
It’s also highly likely that someone in your team has a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health condition, neurodivergent traits, or other situations that make certain things harder for them.
This is why check-ins matter. Managers have the responsibility to get to know their team, support them, and empower them to do their job well without compromising their health.
Without such check-ins, it becomes easy for employees to fall into exhaustion, feelings of isolation, anxiety, fatigue, burnout, and resentment toward their leaders or teammates.
On the other hand, having supportive conversations early can help them feel seen, reduce hidden stress, and keep issues from escalating. Below are some check-in questions to consider for your next one-on-one conversations.
Stress-related questions
Are there any tasks that feel harder than they should be?
Do you ever feel pulled in too many directions at once?
What’s been frustrating you at work lately?
How are you managing your workload right now?
Are you taking breaks when you need to?
Do you feel supported by me and your teammates?
Is there anything unclear about your role or priorities?
Do you need more time or support for certain tasks?
Has anything recently changed that’s making work harder?
Are any conflicts or tensions affecting how you feel at work?
Work-life balance questions
Are you able to switch off when the workday ends?
Have you been working longer hours than usual?
How have you been spending time outside of work lately?
How’s your sleep been? Are you getting the rest you need?
Is anything outside work adding extra pressure right now?
Do you feel okay taking time off when you need it?
Do you have enough time for things you enjoy, like hobbies or time with family?
Are your work hours and boundaries being respected?
Is there anything you'd like to do more of outside work but haven’t had the chance?
What could help you feel more balanced between work and life?
Goal-focused questions
What’s something you’re proud of lately?
Is there a skill or project you'd love to explore?
Are you moving toward your longer-term goals right now?
Do your current tasks reflect what you’re most interested in?
Is there a personal goal you’d like to prioritise alongside work?
What motivates you in your role?
Are there any barriers making it hard to grow in your role?
What would you change about your role to make more room for growth?
How can I support your development better?
What would “success” look like for you this year?
Questions about connection & team culture
How connected do you feel to the team right now?
Do you feel safe sharing concerns or giving feedback?
What’s one thing we could improve in our team culture?
Does your work feel meaningful at the moment?
Is there someone you’d like to collaborate with more often?
Have you felt appreciated for your work lately?
Are there any team rituals or routines you miss or want to bring in?
How comfortable do you feel talking about wellbeing or stress with me?
Do you feel safe asking for help or speaking up when something’s not working?
What’s one thing we could stop doing that would make your workday better?
Questions about dealing with change
Are you clear on any changes happening in the team or business?
How are you finding the pace of change right now?
Have you had the space to adjust to recent changes?
Do you feel informed early enough when things are shifting?
What would make future changes easier to handle?
Do you feel ready for what’s coming next?
Is there anything uncertain about your role that’s causing stress?
How can I support you better through this period of change?
Questions about energy, resilience, and bouncing back
What helps you reset after a stressful week?
Are you doing anything lately that helps protect your mental health?
Have you noticed any signs of burnout or fatigue creeping in?
If you had to rate your energy out of 10, where are you at right now?
Is there something you’ve been pushing through that’s taken a toll?
Have you had trouble sleeping, focusing, or feeling motivated recently?
Would it help to chat about adjusting your workload, hours, or supports like the Employee Assistance Program?
Mental health check-ins are a part of building a team that works well together and cares for each other. You don’t have to act like a therapist or a counsellor, but you only have to be genuinely supportive, present, and ready to listen.
Whether you’re checking in casually over coffee or scheduling a more focused chat, keep it human. And if someone seems to need more support than you can provide, guide them toward options like your Employee Assistance Program, online counselling, or a conversation with a GP or therapist.
