The majority of Australian knowledge-based employees feel that they are expected to work through the upcoming holiday period, despite managers encouraging them to take time out, according to research from digital HQ provider Slack.
The study surveyed more than 2,000 Australian office workers and respondents reveal that 84% of managers say they will actively encourage employees to switch off during the holiday season.
At the same time, 73% of Australian bosses say there is at least some expectation for employees to be available over the holidays.
As a result, 67% of Aussie employees plan to be online during the festive season and 44% say they will be checking their work-related messages even when they have time off.
These mixed messages mean that more Aussies are planning to take a "work-cation" this year over the Christmas period and not getting the switch off time they need.
However, the survey highlights how those leaning into a flexible approach to work, supported by collaborative platforms are better placed to help staff unwind and stay productive.
Nicole Woodley Slack country manager, Australia and New Zealand, said: "Executives need to lead by example when it comes to setting boundaries and not respond to Slack messages and email during leave. Enabling workers to do the same when they take vacations, or even when we’re taking the kids to school.
"Otherwise, employees will likely vote with their feet and look for employers where they don’t just feel like a commodity, or move into quiet quitting mode, both of which have a clear impact on productivity.”
Despite good intentions, only one in four managers have no expectation of their employees to be available during their booked vacation and 7 in 10 managers (71%) of managers are expecting employees to check work-related messages during their holidays.
The key reasons given for expecting staff availability are that customers expect it (64%), there are important tasks/projects that need driving forward (64%), that their employer expects it (62%) and that the manager themselves will be available and expects it (61%).
While office workers did give similar answers to managers as to why they would be available, not all of the impetus comes from their employers.
Over three quarters (78%) say that it is due to their own drive or that it is important to them personally to work, that they will be able to work with fewer distractions (75%), that they are saving their holiday allowance for a different time of the year (73%), they have too much work to do (69%), they find it hard to switch off (69%), they’ve used all of their holiday allowance (61%) or they feel guilty seeing others working (61%).
However, helping employees to establish clear boundaries is critical, especially as almost a third (30%) of employees says it takes them more than three days to switch off during the holidays.
Many colleagues are worried that the pressure of being constantly available will lead to burnout (56%), seeing 73% of supportive colleagues encouraging coworkers to switch off during the holidays.
Jenny Brockis, medical practitioner and board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, said: “We know tired brains don’t think or operate well, which is why taking proper time off is a necessity not a nice to have, especially if we’re to get serious about reducing and preventing the modern workplace maladies of stress-related illness, physical illness including high blood pressure and heart disease, mental health challenges and burnout.
“As humans, we are more productive, more creative, and effective and let’s face it, nicer to be around when not struggling with overwork, chronic fatigue or stretched to beyond capacity, and this can only be achieved through having sufficient downtime to rest, relax, and restore.
"That’s why time off needs to be honoured, not diluted with justifications around needing to tie up loose ends, play catch up or to meet the expectation of others. It’s time to stop kidding ourselves that we don’t need a break over the holiday season. Everyone does.”
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