SEE-August12: A new study published recently in journal of Academy of Management Proceeding suggests that responding to late-night emails doesn't only affects the worker's personal life and mental health, but family members as well.
Researchers from Virginia Tech surveyed 142 people aged between 31 and 40 who are employed full-time, along with their partners.
Associate professor of management in the Pamplin College of Business William Becker found that employees themselves are unaware of how the such a behavior affects the relationship with their partners.
The partners are affected as well as the employees, they also experience stress and anxiety. The study suggests that a “spillover effect” is a result of this behavior.
Becker said, "The competing demands of work and non-work lives present a dilemma for employees, which triggers feelings of anxiety and endangers work and personal lives."
"Employer expectations during non-work hours appear to increase this burden, as employees feel an obligation to shift roles throughout their non-work time," Becker added.
He suggested 7pm cut-off time for emails to be declared by bosses.
Mr Becker concluded saying, “If we don’t address this, it will only get worse and people will start to burn out, leave organizations, and have a lot more relationship problems.”
Researchers advise employees to practice mindfulness in the office and at home because it is a key to reduce anxiety and helps them to be more present with their families.
Psychotherapist Bill Solz says that working at home after leaving the office only increases pressure, and prevents brain from resting.
He advises employees to stay at work a little longer to finish everything before going home, and to never check emails before going to bed.
“We’re all connected to our phones. But if we want to be better connected to our mental health, leave those emails in the workplace,” he said.
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