In a recent poll, our CEO asked professionals on LinkedIn about their approach to remote work and balancing personal time. The results were telling:
These results reflect a common tension: the blurred line between work and personal life.
With more employees working from home, is there an expectation (sometimes unspoken) that we should always be available? Does this ‘always-on’ culture stem from employers, or are employees driving it due to a fear of missing out?
FOMO could be a real phenomenon, especially when many of us work remotely.
Colleagues who respond instantly to group WhatsApp messages, or who send emails late into the night or work at the weekends could potentially make others feel pressured to do the same.
In a world where performance is often equated with responsiveness, employees could feel that they need to be ‘on call’ 24-7 to prove their commitment. But is this sustainable?
Employers play a significant role in shaping these expectations. Whilst plenty endorse flexible hours, it’s crucial that they define boundaries, ensuring that employees feel comfortable unplugging without fearing repercussions.
For employees, understanding their own work limits and communicating them is equally important.
Days off and holidays should be sacred. Yet, the pressure to stay connected can make it hard to truly switch off. Technology, which makes remote work possible, also makes it easy to blur the lines between personal and professional time.
So, where should we draw the line?
Clear expectations should be made around working hours and availability, combined with an honest dialogue between employers and employees about respecting time off.
After all, flexibility shouldn’t mean constant availability.
If we can achieve this, perhaps both employers and employees will benefit from a more balanced, productive and sustainable work culture.
What are your thoughts and experiences?
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