In today’s hyper-connected culture, the “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) is more than just a buzzword—it’s a daily stressor that can drain employee well-being and productivity. For HR professionals, understanding how to support the transition from FOMO to JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out—can be a game-changer for building a healthier, more balanced workplace.

This shift is more than a mindset—it’s a wellness strategy. And the right support systems, like employee assistance programs (EAPs), are critical to making it happen.

What is JOMO?

JOMO represents the practice of intentionally choosing activities that align with your values and bring genuine fulfillment. Rather than feeling compelled to participate in every opportunity or social event, it involves making deliberate decisions about how you spend your time and energy. This mindset prioritizes personal well-being and authentic interests over the pressure to keep up with others' activities or social media highlights.

Embracing JOMO can create better and closer relationships with friends, family and even co-workers. It allows us to be more present and truly engaging without distraction.

For HR leaders, promoting JOMO isn't about encouraging disengagement—it’s about helping employees reconnect with what fuels their well-being, both at work and in life.

How jomo benefits employees

Better mental clarity

By letting go of the need to be everywhere and do everything, employees experience less cognitive overload and greater mental clarity. This leads to sharper focus and better decision-making.

Improved work-life balance

Embracing JOMO helps employees protect their personal time without guilt—leading to healthier boundaries and less burnout.

More meaningful engagement

When employees are present and intentional, they’re more likely to engage deeply in the work and relationships that matter most.

stronger mental health

Stepping back from social or professional comparison reduces anxiety, loneliness, and low self-worth—key contributors to workplace stress.

Why JOMO Belongs in Your Wellness Strategy

Incorporating JOMO into your company’s workplace wellness programs can shift your culture from overdrive to balance. Through employee assistance programs (EAPs) like Life Advisor EAP, your team can learn practical ways to set boundaries, say “no” with confidence, and reconnect with their personal and professional values.

When your employees move from FOMO to JOMO, you’re not just reducing stress—you’re creating space for sustainable productivity, emotional resilience, and true satisfaction.

The effects of fomo in the workplace

On the other hand, the effects of FOMO run deeper, especially in the workplace. For employees, FOMO can manifest as anxiety, pressure to overperform, or a constant need to stay “in the loop.” Left unchecked, this mindset can quietly undermine employee mental health, job satisfaction, and organizational culture.

5 ways FOMO Impacts employees- and how HR can help

1. burnout and overcommittment

Employees experiencing FOMO may take on too much, say “yes” to everything, or avoid taking time off. This can lead to chronic stress and eventual burnout. The pressure to stay visible or indispensable can make it hard for them to set boundaries or prioritize well-being.

2. decreased focus and productivity

FOMO creates mental clutter. When employees are worried about what others are doing or achieving, it pulls their attention away from their own goals. This distraction can lower productivity and make even routine tasks feel more overwhelming.

3. workplace comparison and low morale

FOMO can breed unhealthy comparisons among coworkers—whether it’s about who’s attending certain meetings, getting praised, or seen as “in the know.” This culture of comparison undermines collaboration and can erode team morale.

4. increased anxiety and mental health struggles

Over time, FOMO fuels anxiety, self-doubt, and a persistent sense of inadequacy. Employees may fear falling behind or being overlooked, which can take a serious toll on mental health and emotional resilience.

5. reduced engagement

Ironically, the more people chase inclusion and status, the more disconnected they can feel. FOMO can cause employees to disengage from meaningful work, relationships, and personal growth—making them more likely to feel unfulfilled or even seek employment elsewhere.

By understanding these effects, HR professionals can proactively shape a culture that reduces FOMO and reinforces mental well-being, presence, and purpose—all of which can be supported through high-quality employee assistance programs and workplace wellness programs.

How EAP Services Can Support the Shift

Employee assistance programs play a central role in helping employees manage stress, set boundaries, and access professional mental health support. Programs like Ulliance’s Life Advisor EAP provide the resources, coaching, and counseling employees need to unplug and recharge—without guilt.

These EAP services go beyond crisis intervention. They’re proactive tools that help employees prioritize what matters most, both in and outside of work.

From awareness to action: How HR Can Lead the Way

As an HR leader, you’re uniquely positioned to build a culture that values mental health and self-care. Here’s how to guide your team from FOMO to JOMO:

• Promote the Benefits of EAPs: Regularly highlight your employee assistance program benefits—from confidential counseling to work-life balance coaching.
• Encourage Boundaries: Normalize disconnecting after hours and taking time off without fear of missing out.
• Integrate EAPs into Wellness Strategies: Include your employee assistance program as a core component of your workplace wellness programs.
• Partner with the Best: Choosing the best EAP providers ensures your employees have access to high-quality, compassionate care.

The Life Advisor EAP Difference

Ulliance's Life Advisor EAP is designed with both employees and employers in mind. As one of the best EAP providers, we offer tailored EAP services that address the real-life challenges today’s workforce faces—from stress and anxiety to burnout and overwhelm.

The EAP employee benefits include personalized support, coaching for life and career, and guidance for navigating difficult transitions—all aimed at helping your team reclaim their time, well-being, and joy.

Helping employees go from FOMO to JOMO isn’t about asking them to do less—it’s about helping them feel better about what they do. By investing in a robust employee assistance program and embedding it into your wellness strategy, you’re not just addressing today’s mental health needs—you’re building a foundation for long-term engagement, retention, and success.

When you partner with Ulliance, our Life Advisor Consultants are always just a phone call away to teach ways to enhance your work/life balance and increase your happiness. The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program can help employees and employers come closer to a state of total well-being.

Investing in the right EAP or Wellness Program to support your employees will help them and help you.  Visit https://ulliance.com/ or call 866-648-8326.

The Ulliance Employee Assistance Program can address the
following issues:
• Stress about work or job performance
• Crisis in the workplace
• Conflict resolution at work or in one’s personal life
• Marital or relationship problems
• Child or elder care concerns
• Financial worries
• Mental health problems
• Alcohol/substance abuse
• Grief
• Interpersonal conflicts
• AND MORE!

References:

From FOMO to JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out: From FOMO to JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out | Psychology Today

What is JOMO? How to Enjoy Missing Out. What Is JOMO? How To Enjoy Missing Out

Embracing JOMO: Finding Joy in Missing Out: Embracing JOMO: Finding Joy in Missing Out