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Health & Wellbeing

Nearly half of desk-based staff feel pressure of ‘always on’ culture, research finds

Over two-fifths (44%) of the UK workforce feels the pressure to appear continuously available at work.

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Nearly half of desk-based staff feel pressure of ‘always on’ culture, research finds
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More than two-fifths (44%) of the UK workforce feels the pressure to appear continuously available at work.

Perkbox Vivup surveyed 600 UK desk-based employees in September 2023 about their views on their desktop or laptop status indicator. 

The ‘Always On’ Work Status report, which examines how workplace tools impact employee stress, found that online tools that use status indicators, such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, impacted employees’ feelings of anxiety, stress and lack of trust.

26% of UK workers said the indicators made them feel continual pressure to show they are working, while 14% said they did not feel trusted.

At the same time, 12% expressed the view that status indicators made them feel unable to turn off from work.

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Karl Bennett, wellbeing director at Perkbox Vivup, said: “Employees potentially aren’t fully aware of the impact the status indicator has on their mental health and physiology.

“Indeed, there is a case to be made that employees who feel trusted and connected to their employers are less likely to be concerned about the status indicator and what it might negatively represent.

“However, we need to remember that we are biologically wired to react to threats by engaging our fight or flight response – this means many people who experience anxiety may feel an overwhelming desire to escape certain situations – or avoid them entirely.”

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The majority (84%) of individuals manually changed their status indicators at some point.

One in 10 (10%) of them manually change their status indicators to give the impression they’re busy whereas 11% did so to not appear online when working overtime.

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A similar proportion (9%) manually changed their status to ‘hide’ from managers and colleagues, and more than half (52%) changed it to accurately reflect when they were available.

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49% of them also do the same but in order to avoid distraction during focus periods.

More than two-thirds of respondents said they leave their signal on ‘available’ even when taking a break, perhaps making a cup of tea, using the toilet or talking to someone at home.

Jennifer Healy, group chief people officer at Perkbox Vivup, added: “The increased reliance on technology in our working day, along with the outdated badge of pride that comes with being ‘busy’, can lead to pressure amongst teams. 

“Many employees worry that their status is a reflection of their work and can lead to a perceived lack of trust which can have a huge impact on culture.

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“To ensure they’re creating an inclusive culture based on trust, employers need to provide clarity and share expectations, allowing employees to set boundaries and remain productive in their working day.”

More than 50% of UK respondents said indicator tools helped them understand when their colleagues are available, while 25% said it helps them manage their time. 

However, the vast majority (83%) of employees overall did not believe the status indicator helps their productivity.

Healy said: “There are steps organisations can take to prevent employees from feeling anxious. For instance, they can survey employees to understand issues unique to their organisation.

“They can ask about the impact of status indicators and their view on productivity and trust.

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“By defining the importance of status indicators and promoting team etiquette, organisations can enhance communication, build a respectful environment and increase productivity.”

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