While TikTok is exalting the benefits of “quiet quitting”, the rest of us are over here pushing through the always-on culture of remaining connected to work – even when we’re on paid time off.

We weren’t always like this. The shift to hybrid working has blurred formal boundaries separating work from our leisure time. After all, if you’re fitting your work in between all your other responsibilities and checking in after hours to finish tasks, you may well start to feel that there’s no particular time or place that is (or isn’t) meant for working.

It’s an acknowledged problem. In 2016, France brought in the right to disconnect which allowed employees to not engage in work-related electronic communications such as emails or messages during non-work hours. Italy followed in 2017, and Spain did the same in 2018. In 2021, Ireland also implemented the right for all employees to disconnect.

If being always-on sounds familiar, and you’re one of the 56% of workers who check in while on holidays. We are here to tell you that rather than fast-tracking your career, you may be negatively impacting it.

Research from Outsmart shows that of those who remain switched on while on holiday, 95% did so by choice – either to remain up to date with developments or to stay ahead of work while out of office. While a quick Slack scroll or email browse by the pool might seem harmless enough, research shows that those who indulge their workaholic tendencies are actually 34% more likely to quit upon return.

Always on

Those who are encouraged to remain on call while on leave are also 72% more likely to look for a new job upon return. However, not all workers are created equal; Gen Z and Millennial employees are more likely to remain connected while on leave, with 18% taking calls and joining meetings from holidays. This “always on” culture extends even further with only 75% of employees taking their full holiday allocation. 

When examined, the science behind these findings stands up to scrutiny. One of the reasons people excel at work is because they’re intrinsically motivated to succeed at a job they find stimulating - according to research reported in the Harvard Business Review.

When you work during traditional down-time, your brain receives mixed messages about what is a personal goal and what is a professional goal and this confusion reduces your intrinsic motivation and overall happiness at work. Hence, of those who switch off on leave, 53% return to the office energised, excited, and ready to work.

Set boundaries

What is the solution? Unless you want to move to a location where you can take advantage of “right to disconnect” legislation, the onus on setting boundaries is up to you. There are practical things you can do: letting people know your schedule up to six weeks out so deadlines and meetings can be scheduled in advance, leaving a detailed out of office message for anyone who doesn’t know you’re on leave and finally, deleting all work related apps from your phone.

The harsh truth remains that unless you are a business owner, your employer and team can do without you for two weeks. If they can’t, it may be time to question your management or work style.

However, if you are currently working for a company that has a 24/7 culture and you are burning out, maybe it’s time you explored other options. An employer with a better company culture, flexible annual leave, and healthier management style will allow you to nurture your free time.

Are you looking to make a move to a company which can offer you a better work-life balance? Check out companies currently hiring, as well as lots of open roles, on the Finextra Job Board.