A survey carried out by HR Buddy has revealed that people’s mental health and wellbeing is being impacted by work as they are not able to switch off.
Four in ten people (46% ) said they found it difficult to switch off from work while a further four in ten (44% ) said they could improve in this area.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Six in ten (48% ) said sometimes their mental health and wellbeing has been impacted by work in the last 12 months while three in ten (30% ) said it’s rarely impacted. One in ten (13% ) said they have always suffered issues. Just 9% chose the option of never, when asked if their mental health and wellbeing had been impacted by their work.
Right to Disconnect Policy
When respondents were asked if their workplace had a “Right to Disconnect” policy, three in ten (32% ) said they did have a “Right to Disconnect” policy. Three in ten (37% ) said no and three in ten (31% ) said they weren’t sure. The “Right to Disconnect” policy was introduced and signed by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, as a code of practice in April 2021.
When asked if they had noticed a change since the policy was introduced, four in ten (43% ) said they noticed no difference, less than two in ten (14% ) answered yes with just two in ten (23% ) saying there was a slight improvement. One in five (20% ) said they were not even aware of the “Right to Disconnect” policy.
Out of Hours Emails
The HR Buddy survey also revealed that 7 in 10 (72% ) workers feel obligated to engage in out of hours work emails and calls. Six in ten (60% ) said it was their decision, two in ten (20% ) said it was their decision and also felt it was expected of them. Just 20% said it was because their employer expected it of them.
When asked if employers discouraged employees from sending out of hours emails, three in four respondents (74% ) said no with one in four (26% ) saying their employer discouraged out of hours emails.
Work Life Balance
Respondents were also asked to rate their work-life balance with two-thirds (66% ) saying that it was either very poor, poor or needed improvement while three in ten (30% ) said it was good. Only 4% described their work life balance as ‘great’.
