Inability to 'switch off' from work impacts wellbeing

Digital technology allows us to work at any time and from almost anywhere -- but one downside of this can be an erosion of work-life boundaries.

A new study reveals that employees are experiencing mental and physical strain as so-called hyperconnectivity makes it difficult to switch off from work.

The UK government has promised to introduce a 'right to switch off' to help ensure that employees are not expected to be available 24/7.

'Dark side' to digital working

In detailed interviews with employees from a range of professions, researchers from the University of Nottingham's Schools of Psychology and Medicine found that the cognitive and affective effort associated with constant connectivity and the high work pace driven by digital technology is detrimental to employee wellbeing.

Participants expressed a sense of burden associated with working digitally, with perceptions of overload and feelings of being overwhelmed by the proliferation of messages, applications and meetings in the digital workplace. Fear of missing out on important information and contact with colleagues also contributed to stress and strain for digital workers, as did problems with using digital technologies.

"Digital workplaces benefit both organisations and employees, for example by enabling collaborative and flexible work," said Elizabeth Marsh, co-author of the paper published in Frontiers in Organizational Psychology.

"However, what we have found in our research is that there is a potential dark side to digital working, where employees can feel fatigue and strain due to being overburdened by the demands and intensity of the digital work environment.

"A sense of pressure to be constantly connected and keeping up with messages can make it hard to psychologically detach from work."

Practical measures to help alleviate these demands can include helping workers to improve their digital skills and empowering them to manage boundaries in the digital workplace.

Work-life balance

Poor work-life balance negatively affects 41% of employees' wellbeing on a daily or weekly basis, and two thirds (65%) on a monthly basis or more often, according to separate research from workforce management company Protime.

Although 93% of workers said that work-life balance was critical for good overall wellbeing, 67% do not feel they can fully switch off from work or maintain a work-life balance.

The study of 2,000 UK employees also revealed that they took an average of 5.4 days of sickness absence in the last year due to stress, anxiety or burnout and only a quarter (26%) had never taken time off for this reason.

Right to switch off

Future reforms of employment rights set out by the UK government in October include a right to switch off, preventing employees from being contacted out of hours, except in exceptional circumstances. This would help people to get the rest and recuperation they need to give 100% during their working hours, the government said.

The BBC reported that ministers are looking at other countries, including Ireland and Belgium, where workers already have the 'right to disconnect' and not routinely be contacted by their employer or required to work outside of their normal hours.

"Good employers understand that for workers to stay motivated and productive they do need to be able to switch off, and a culture of presenteeism can be damaging to productivity," the prime minister's deputy spokesperson said.

The aim is to ensure "we're not inadvertently blurring the lines between work and home life," the deputy spokesperson added.

Essential for long-term success

"While the 'right to switch off' is a crucial step in the right direction, it's just the beginning," said Simon Garrity, senior workforce management expert at Protime. "Organisations need to take a comprehensive approach to managing work-life boundaries, including clear policies, cultural changes, and practical tools to support employees.

"The potential benefits are substantial -- improved employee wellbeing, reduced burnout and absenteeism, and ultimately, enhanced productivity.

"It's time for businesses to recognise that respecting work-life boundaries isn't just good for employees; it's essential for long-term organisational success."