Working out of hours harms productivity and mental wellbeing

Working beyond traditional working hours is harming the mental wellbeing of employees, according to research from Lockton.

The researchers found that a quarter (26%) of employees find working outside of traditional working hours harms their mental wellbeing, and 20% of staff believe it negatively affects their output.

Despite this, three quarters (74%) of large firms’ staff are contractually obliged to be available outside office hours, and over a third (36%) of HR Directors surveyed note that being online at home is expected as part of a role at their company.

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Brits unable to switch off from work

Chris Rofe, Senior Vice President of UK and International Benefits Practice at Lockton, warned that many employers are ‘not walking the talk’ when it comes to work life balance. “With employers spending millions on health and wellbeing initiatives, many are failing to acknowledge one of the biggest risks to their employees’ health and wellbeing,” he said.