Latest news with #Jeffs
Business Journals
09-05-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
Culture check: How the office environment can shape — or sabotage — employee well-being
In today's fast-paced work environment, organizations often underestimate how much their daily operations, leadership behaviors and company policies influence employee mental health. But the reality is clear: the way work is structured — what is prioritized, how leadership communicates and whether employees feel valued and supported — can either protect well-being or contribute to chronic stress, disengagement and burnout. Workplace burnout is a prevalent issue affecting a significant portion of the American workforce. A 2024 report by Aflac revealed that nearly 60% of U.S. workers are experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout. This issue is particularly pronounced among millennials (ages 28-43), with 66% reporting burnout compared to 55% of Gen Xers (ages 44-59) and 39% of baby boomers (ages 60-78). Furthermore, research from the American Institute of Stress indicates that 83% of U.S. workers experience work-related stress, a primary precursor to burnout. This stress not only affects job performance but also has significant implications for personal well-being and organizational productivity. 'We've worked with organizations of all sizes to help leaders design work environments that foster resilience,' says Dr. Patrick Jeffs, founder and owner of The Resiliency Solution. 'In a world that keeps accelerating, resilience isn't about bouncing back — it's about knowing when to slow down, when to push forward and when to recalibrate. The ability to adjust, not just recover, defines lasting success.' But what are some of the most overlooked workplace dynamics that impact mental health — and what can organizations do to fix them? Jeffs shares his insight. How organizational behavior impacts mental well-being The chaos of poor prioritization One of the biggest stressors in any workplace is the feeling of constantly chasing moving targets. When employees are overloaded with tasks but given little clarity on what truly matters, it leads to reactive decision-making, unnecessary stress and ultimately burnout. On the flip side, clear prioritization gives employees a sense of control. Leaders who establish a rhythm — through daily huddles, structured check-ins or simple 'stoplight' priority lists — help their teams confidently focus on the work that moves the needle. Even a single word, 'deprioritize,' can be transformative in a fast-moving environment, offering permission to let go of low-value tasks. The hidden cost of skipping recovery High performers don't operate at full capacity 24/7. In any other high-stakes field — sports, aviation, military operations — rest and recovery are deliberately built into the system. Why should business be any different? Micro-breaks, protected lunch hours and scheduled 'think time' shouldn't be viewed as luxuries — they're productivity boosters. At the organizational level, integrating monthly innovation sprints or quarterly off-site days helps teams step back, recharge and return to work with sharper focus and fresh ideas. Companies that honor the natural cycle of effort and recovery don't just see better mental health, they also see sustained high performance. 'Uncertainty isn't going anywhere, but burnout doesn't have to be inevitable. Organizations that rethink resilience as a long-term capacity rather than a short-term response will define the future of work,' Jeffs says. expand Success without a scoreboard is stressful Nothing creates workplace anxiety faster than unclear expectations. Employees want to succeed, but when success metrics are vague or constantly shifting, they feel like they're shooting at a moving target. This erodes confidence, stifles creativity and leads to decision paralysis. The simplest fix? Co-create success measures. Leaders who involve their teams in defining what 'success' looks like and keep those expectations consistent build a culture of trust and accountability. Regular check-ins should focus not just on results, but also on what's working, what's not and how adjustments can be made without upending expectations. Micromanagement: A fast track to stress Few things drain morale faster than a leader who can't let go. Micromanagement sends an implicit message: 'I don't trust you.' It chips away at autonomy, slows decision-making and makes employees second-guess themselves — sometimes to the point where they stop taking initiative altogether. Great leaders set direction, provide resources and then get out of the way. When employees feel ownership over their work, they're more engaged, more innovative and less stressed. The best managers don't control every detail; they create an environment where people can thrive without constant oversight. How organizations can build a healthier, more resilient workplace 1. Establish a culture of prioritization Use simple frameworks — like daily huddles or weekly planning — to clarify what matters most. Give employees permission to deprioritize tasks that don't drive meaningful results. Avoid reactive, last-minute work cycles that create unnecessary stress. 2. Build recovery into the workweek Encourage micro-breaks and ensure lunch breaks aren't just theoretical. Introduce 'think days' or quarterly off-site sessions to foster innovation. Recognize that sustainable performance requires intentional downtime. 3. Provide clear success measures Co-create performance metrics with employees to reduce ambiguity. Keep expectations consistent — don't change the rules mid-game. Regularly revisit goals in one-on-ones to ensure alignment and clarity. 4. Empower instead of micromanage Give employees full ownership of their projects, with clear support structures. Trust people to make decisions without excessive oversight. Encourage a culture of experimentation and learning, rather than fear of failure. 5. Foster open dialogue around decision-making Implement feedback loops — whether through check-ins, surveys or roundtable discussions. Make it easy for employees to voice concerns before they become problems. Create an environment where collaboration, not hierarchy, drives decision-making. According to Jeffs, workplace well-being doesn't happen by accident. 'It's a product of intentional leadership and a commitment to building a culture where employees can do their best work without sacrificing their mental health in the process. Leaders who take these steps don't just improve retention and engagement — they future-proof their organizations against burnout, turnover and performance decline.'
New York Times
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
New Watch to Honor British Racehorse's Winning Career
A Brooklands Watch Company timepiece honoring a legendary British racehorse is scheduled to debut next week in collaboration with the annual Cheltenham Festival of British horse racing. The Golden Miller Racing Chronograph, with a stopwatch function, was designed to commemorate Golden Miller, the horse who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup every year from 1932-36. The watch was created in partnership with the Jockey Club, founded in 1750, which operates 15 major British racetracks and training grounds. The 100-piece limited edition has a 41-millimeter stainless steel case with an automatic movement by Sellita, a SW500 Bv b, and is priced at 6,800 pounds ($8,630). As an added touch, the strap buckles were made with an aluminum alloy melted from one of the horseshoes worn by the horse in 1934. It will be the second watch introduced by Brooklands, which was founded in 2017 by Simon Jeffs and named after the motor racing circuit and aerodrome in Surrey, England, now an aviation and motoring museum. 'My uncle invited me to Brooklands Museum in 2017 to see his racecar, built at Brooklands around 1936, and I couldn't believe the level of expertise,' said Mr. Jeffs, an aeromechanical systems engineer, referring to his uncle, John, who was a British Airways Concorde engineer and a racecar collector. 'My day job is taking airplane engines apart, so I'm always amazed at the intricacies of all engines. I wanted to capture the Brooklands heritage in a watch brand.' Brooklands' debut watch was the Triple-Four Racing Chronograph, a 500-piece design issued in 2023 at £5,754. It was created by Terence Conran, the celebrated British designer and restaurateur, before his death in 2020, and produced by the Swiss watchmaker Roventa Henex. That chronograph honored the Napier-Railton racing car, built at Brooklands in 1933. The expansion of Brooklands' offering is seen by some as a harbinger of the future of watchmaking in the country. 'We're in a resurgence in the British watch industry, and people like Simon are coming in with an engineering background and might be able to help bring at least some degree of manufacturing back to Britain,' said Alistair Audsley, the chief executive of British Watch & Clock Makers, a trade association established in 2020. 'In 1850, the British made about half of the world's watches, but by 1970, it was virtually zero.' For Mr. Jeffs, the Brooklands watches are a testament to that history — and to the future. 'The Triple-Four and the Golden Miller are pieces of art with a purpose,' he said. 'They have a beating heart and a story of British motor racing and horse racing to tell.'
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
20-year-old connected to FLDS religion arrested for sexual crimes, said he would ‘flee the country'
Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100 CEDAR CITY, Utah () — On Monday, Feb. 10, a southern Utah man with connections to the FLDS religion was arrested for several sexual crimes. Officials believe more victims may come forward, according to arrest documents. Lehi Rulon Jeffs, 20, was arrested on one count of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony; one count of object rape, a first-degree felony; one count of sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor; one count of assault, a class B misdemeanor; and one count of lewdness, a class B misdemeanor. According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Iron County, three victims of Jeffs spoke to an officer with the Cedar City Police Department. The charges are related to the testimony of one victim, as two other victims reported alleged incidents that took place outside of the jurisdiction of Cedar City Police. At least two of the victims were under the age of 18 when the alleged incidents occurred, police said. 2 men arrested for road rage incident after allegedly chasing victims while wielding firearm 'The Victims told me that they and [Jeffs] had grown up in a culture they identified as FLDS,' the arresting officer wrote in documents. FLDS stands for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a religious group that was the subject of a . The FLDS religion is described as a polygamist sect that broke off from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (colloquially known as the Mormon church). 'The Victims explained to me that in that [FLDS] culture, women are not supposed to tell men no or go against them,' arrest documents read. 'They also explained to me that growing up they are not taught about anything sexual so they did not know what was going on, when [Jeffs] started assaulting them.' No additional information was disclosed about the current religious affiliations of Jeffs or the victims. Documents said the 'original victim' told officials she 'did not give consent to any of the actions' and 'did not cooperate.' According to arrest documents, the alleged assaults took place in Jeffs' vehicle at several different locations. The victim had bruises after the incident, which she showed officers. The other victims reported similar stories, and told officials that Jeffs did not ask for their permission before performing sexual acts. During an interview with officers, after being read his Miranda rights, Jeffs said he asked for permission before performing the sexual acts. Officials obtained a warrant for Jeffs' phone, in addition to a warrant for data and information on the device. On his phone, officials found text conversations where he identified the victims and said he could 'pay people off,' documents claim. Jeffs also said he was 'looking to flee the country due to these charges,' according to arrest documents. Jeffs was booked into jail on Monday night. He has been ordered to be held without bail, as officials believe he may try to flee the country and pay off witnesses 'to be quiet' based on the text messages he sent. 'There are also other charges from similar cases with other agencies with the same and different victims, that are still being investigated, including victims that were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime,' the affidavit reads. Officials are also asking that Jeffs be held without bail until the investigations regarding other victims are finished. According to arrest documents, the victims who have already been interviewed said there is another victim, but she may have been getting money from Jeffs. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
