A significant portion of the UK workforce feels pressure to remain ‘always on’ due to work status indicators.
- Perkbox Vivup’s report reveals 44% of UK employees feel constant availability pressure.
- Survey highlights anxiety, stress, and trust issues stemming from digital work tools.
- Key findings include employees manually altering status to manage perception and avoid pressure.
- Employers are encouraged to define clearer expectations to alleviate undue stress among workers.
A newly released report by Perkbox Vivup highlights a concerning trend among UK employees who find themselves pressured to appear continuously available online due to the use of work status indicators. The report, surveying 600 desk-based employees in September 2023, reveals that over two-fifths (44%) experience this pressure. Status indicators from tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack are causing anxiety and trust issues among employees.
The report reveals distinct behaviours among employees in relation to status indicators. Twenty-six percent expressed feeling an ongoing need to prove their activity, and fourteen percent reported a lack of trust associated with these tools. A concerning twelve percent feel unable to disconnect from work entirely due to these indicators, underlining the psychological impact of digital work environments.
Karl Bennett, Wellbeing Director at Perkbox Vivup, contextualised these findings by noting the unawareness employees may have about the impact of status indicators on mental health. Bennett suggests that employees who feel inherently trusted are less likely to experience anxiety related to these tools, which trigger fight or flight responses when perceived as threats.
The report also delves into specific adaptive behaviours by employees, where a notable 84% manually change their status indicators. Reasons for such actions vary, including ten percent pretending to be busy and eleven percent wanting to remain unseen during overtime. Despite these adaptations, over two-thirds leave their indicator on “available” despite being on a break, demonstrating a persistence of the “always on” culture.
Regarding the potential utility of status indicators, more than half of respondents find they help in understanding colleague availability. However, a significant issue remains, with eighty-three percent dismissing the notion that these digital signals enhance productivity. Jennifer Healy, Chief People Officer at Perkbox Vivup, advises organisations to survey employees and define expectations to mitigate stress, promote communication, and foster a culture of trust.
Clear expectations and better understanding of digital tools can alleviate employee stress and improve workplace relationships.
