Put on a happy face from Mind Charity on Vimeo.

As the England team makes their journey home with their heads hanging from Sunday’s defeat, their manager could offer only one explanation: the boys were tired.

It’s hard to justify fatigue to the majority of the British population who will have little sympathy for millionaire footballers (never mind the £6 million demanded by their manager). But perhaps he has a point – could the team simply have been worn out?

One aspect of sustainability that is often overlooked on the corporate dashboard is employee wellbeing. To operate as a truly sustainable business this must be taken into account, but there are varying cultural differences here – with annual leave being just one example. The UK is often criticised as falling below the European average of holidays (our 28 days off vs the average 34) while US companies get away with offering a pitiful 9 days paid holiday per year. Sustainability strategies often account for the human rights and labour standards of employees further down the supply chain, but do they acknowledge the well-being of their own staff?

With the global economy coming out of recession, its not surprising if all of us are feeling a bit weary. The mental exhaustion of boot strapping business back into shape – whilst balancing our own finances – under the pressure of an ever demanding market must certainly have taken its toll. How will businesses continue to innovate if their best minds need a rest?

The UK charity Mind has estimated that mental health conditions such as workplace stress cost the economy £26 billion pounds a year. Investors in People have also released a report detailing the business case for employee well-being. The figures make for a compelling argument – yet in many ways they continue to fall on deaf ears.

The balance of your business must weigh in the favour of the well-being of your employees. It is the only way to nurture the talent of your most valuable asset. Another lesson learned from the England team.