Work-life balance | Pandemic sparks longer workdays and email deluge

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many organisations moved their staff members to remote working arrangements to contain the spread of the virus and to comply with lockdown measures imposed by the UK Government.

With a lack of physical interaction, organisations have relied on technology and virtual communications to stay connected with colleagues and clients, as well as to keep business ticking over.

Although this technology has allowed businesses to continue, new research had found that this new way of working has resulted in longer working days, more meetings and sending more emails.

In fact, a recent study of 3.1million global workers which was published by the National Bureau of Economic Relations – which looked at employee behaviours before and after COVID-19 lockdown periods – found that the working day lasted almost an hour longer (48.5 minutes).