3 october 2024 : Do you find yourself responding to work emails or taking calls even after your work hours? This habit can contribute to burnout. Despite our best efforts to disconnect after work, an urgent email or message can trigger stress and anxiety. However, the effects go much deeper.
The Impact of Working Beyond Office Hours
A study conducted by Myoung-Gi Chon, Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at Auburn University, examined the relationship between after-hours work communication and the heightened risk of employee burnout. The findings revealed that when employees engage in work-related communication outside their official hours, it can reduce their productivity, lead to negative feelings towards their employers, and foster other detrimental behaviors.
The research involved 315 full-time employees in the U.S., highlighting that work communication after hours can cause emotional exhaustion and hinder overall well-being, leading to counterproductive outcomes. A 2013 survey by the American Psychological Association found that over half of U.S. employees checked work messages during weekends, with that number having doubled in recent years.
The study also pointed out that this blurring of boundaries between work and personal life not only diminishes employee satisfaction but can also adversely affect organizational performance.
A Call to Action
Myoung-Gi Chon emphasized that these findings serve as a crucial reminder for organizations to recognize how stressful work environments impact employee morale and job satisfaction, often pushing them toward burnout. It’s essential to foster a proper work-life balance, preventing personal time from becoming an extension of work hours.
