
The Impact of an “Always-On” Culture: How Smartphones are Affecting Our Wellbeing

In today’s hyper-connected world, smartphones make it easier than ever to access work emails, shared drives, and cloud documents—often outside of the typical nine-to-five. But as convenient as this constant connectivity can be, it’s also raising some serious questions about how it affects our physical and mental health.
According to new research from CV-Library, the “always-on” culture is taking a toll on employees’ sleep, stress levels, and family life, with nearly eight in ten professionals acknowledging the negative impact. The survey, which polled 1,200 UK workers, sheds light on how technology has made it harder to truly switch off from work, and how this is impacting their lives.
Technology and Work-Life Blur: A Growing Concern

The results of the survey are striking. 72.4% of workers admitted to sending work-related emails or making work calls outside of regular hours. More concerning still, over a third of employees said they checked their phones for work emails right before going to bed and as soon as they woke up. Meanwhile, two-thirds of respondents stated they accessed shared drives and workspaces outside of their contracted hours.
The widespread use of smartphones is clearly a key factor in this shift. 71.9% of professionals agreed that mobile devices have blurred the line between their personal and work lives, making it harder to separate the two.
The Impact of the “Always-On” Culture

So, how is this constant connectivity affecting workers’ personal lives? The findings show that the always-on culture has led to a range of negative impacts, including:
- Poor sleep quality – 52.8% of respondents
- Increased stress levels – 51.9% of respondents
- Feeling exhausted – 50.6% of respondents
- Spending less time with family – 47.6% of respondents
- Inability to enjoy hobbies – 38.8% of respondents
Lee Biggins, the founder of CV-Library, commented on the findings, expressing concern about the rising number of professionals working outside their contracted hours. While technology has opened up new opportunities for businesses, it’s also making it far too easy for employees to check emails and access work-related documents even after hours. This is clearly having a negative effect on employees’ health and overall work-life balance.
The Strain on Work-Life Balance

As one might expect, this shift toward an always-connected workforce has significantly impacted work-life balance. Almost one in three workers believe their work-life balance has worsened due to the amount of work they do outside of their regular hours. In fact, nearly half of employees have even left a job because they couldn’t maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal lives.
Biggins highlights the importance of work-life balance, not only for employees but also for businesses. “Overworked staff can become fatigued, less productive, and at risk of burnout,” he warns. If companies want to retain their talent, encouraging employees to switch off after hours is essential.
Tips for Employers to Improve Work-Life Balance

To combat the negative effects of an always-on culture, employers can take several steps to help their staff regain control over their work-life balance:
- Encourage time off – Ensure that employees take time to recharge outside of work. Consider implementing policies that encourage staff to avoid work emails and shared drives once they’re off the clock.
- Offer flexible working options – Allow employees to better balance their work and personal life through flexible working hours or remote work options.
- Set an example – It’s crucial that senior staff lead by example. If leaders are constantly working long hours, employees may feel pressured to do the same. Promote a culture that values work-life balance at all levels of the organization.
- Create a supportive environment – Foster a work culture where switching off from work is seen as important for both personal well-being and professional productivity.
FAQs
Q1: How has the “always-on” culture affected employees?
The always-on culture, fueled by constant connectivity through smartphones, is leading to poor sleep quality, increased stress, feelings of exhaustion, and reduced time spent with family or on personal hobbies. Many workers are finding it hard to disconnect from work after hours, which is negatively affecting their mental and physical health.
Q2: What can employers do to improve work-life balance?
Employers can encourage staff to switch off by promoting time away from emails and work-related tasks outside of office hours, offering flexible working arrangements, and ensuring senior leaders set a healthy example. Creating a company culture that values work-life balance can improve employee productivity and retention.
Q3: Why is work-life balance important for businesses?
Work-life balance is essential for maintaining a motivated and productive workforce. Overworked employees are at higher risk of burnout, which can lead to decreased productivity, high turnover rates, and increased absenteeism. Encouraging employees to take time off helps them stay focused, engaged, and loyal to the company.
Q4: How has technology made work-life balance more difficult?
Smartphones and other mobile devices make it easier for employees to stay connected to work outside of regular hours. While this can be convenient, it also leads to blurred boundaries between work and personal life, making it harder for workers to disconnect and unwind.
Conclusion
The constant connectivity brought about by smartphones has created an “always-on” culture that’s negatively affecting workers’ mental and physical health. As more employees struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it’s becoming increasingly important for employers to promote boundaries, encourage time off, and set examples for their teams. By prioritizing work-life balance, companies can improve employee well-being, productivity, and retention in the long run.
It’s time to rethink how we use technology to connect with work and start fostering a culture that values time away from the screen.