Work-life balance | 'Always-on' work culture is pushing employees to breaking point, new study finds

Half (50%) of workers now check work messages while on holiday, while 55% do so within minutes of waking up, according to new research.

The findings, from HR platform HiBob, come as more than two in five workers (42%) actively consider leaving their job due to workplace pressure, with a further 11% already searching for a new role.

The study suggests an ‘always-on’ culture is increasingly becoming the norm. Most workers (58%) say pressure in their role has increased compared to two years ago, while nearly half (49%) feel expected to always be available. More than a third (36%) regularly work late, and 37% say they would accept lower pay in exchange for a less stressful job.

Work is increasingly spilling into personal life

The research suggests workers are finding it harder than ever to properly switch off. More than a quarter (27%) say failing to respond to messages outside working hours would harm their career, while nearly half (49%) feel there is an expectation to always be available for work.