In today’s digital age, technology has blurred the lines between work and personal time, leading to a constant pressure for employees to always be connected. Some individuals choose to work late in order to excel in their careers, but this can have negative consequences if they are unable to disconnect and recharge. A recent study conducted by Schlacter and colleagues in 2025 explored the impact of working late on employee well-being and productivity.
The research involved 187 participants who were interviewed over five consecutive workdays. Each evening, participants were asked about their engagement in technology-based work activities, their ability to disconnect from work, their level of control over their work, and their emotional state and well-being. The following morning, they were asked to rate their emotional state, well-being, and the quality of their sleep from the previous night.
The findings revealed that working late in the evening, even voluntarily, was associated with lower levels of positive emotions and well-being the following morning. This negative effect was mitigated when employees felt in control of their work, but it was exacerbated when workers reported poor sleep quality.
To support employees in this era of constant connectivity, organizations can take several steps:
1. Address the risks of “boundary blurring” and “work spillover” during orientation and wellness training to raise awareness among leaders and employees about the potential pitfalls of working outside of office hours.
2. Encourage employees to disconnect after work and practice mindfulness to promote recovery and well-being, as well as to discourage unhealthy habits like constantly checking emails.
3. Provide training to help employees establish boundaries with work-related technology, especially outside of regular work hours. Consider implementing a formal disconnection policy to empower employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
By prioritizing employee well-being and promoting healthy work practices, organizations can help their employees thrive in a technology-driven work environment. The study by Schlacter and colleagues sheds light on the importance of setting boundaries and taking care of one’s well-being in today’s interconnected world.
Reference:
Schlachter, S., Inceoglu, I., McDowall, A., & Cropley, M. (2025). Work-related technology use outside of work and its consequences: A resource-oriented perspective. Journal of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 98, e70047.
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