More than two-fifths of UK workers (44%) feel the pressure to be available continuously at work.
Perkbox Vivup – the experts in employee benefits, engagement and wellbeing – published a report recently that reveals their findings. In September 2023, 600 UK-based desk-based workers were surveyed about their opinions on their desktop/laptop status indicator.
Microsoft Teams, Slack and other online tools with status indicators have a negative impact on employee feelings of anxiety and stress. 26 percent of UK employees said that the indicators made them feel pressured to always be working. 14 percent said that they didn’t trust their employers. Status indicators also make 12% of UK workers feel they can’t turn off work.
Karl Bennett, the Wellbeing Director of Perkbox Vivup said, “Employees may not be fully aware of the impact that the status indicator can have on their mental and physiology health. It is true that employees who are connected and feel trust in their employer will be less concerned with the status indicator. We must remember, however, that our biological wiring is to respond to threats with a fight or flight reaction. This means that many people who are anxious may feel compelled to avoid certain situations or escape them completely.
The survey also revealed employees’ habits in managing online tools. 84% of respondents manually changed their status indicators. You can, for example:
- 10% of people change their status to busy by manually changing the indicator.
- 11% of those who work overtime do not post their online presence.
- 9% of people manually hide their status from colleagues and managers
- 52% of respondents said that they updated their availability to reflect the actual time they are available.
- 49% of respondents do this to avoid distractions during focused periods
- More than two-thirds of respondents keep their signal set to ‘available’, even when they are taking a break. This could be making a cup tea, going to the bathroom, or simply talking with someone at home.
Jennifer Healy is the Group Chief People Officer of Perkbox Vivup. She added that “the increased reliance on tech in our workday, as well as the old badge of pride associated with being ‘busy,’ can lead to stress amongst team members.
Many employees are concerned that their status reflects their work, which can lead to an perceived lack of confidence – and have a big impact on culture. Employers must share their expectations and provide clarity to create a culture of trust. This will allow employees to remain productive and set boundaries.
Just over 50% of UK respondents stated that status indicator tools help them to understand when their co-workers are available. More than 25% of respondents said that it helped them manage their own time.
The vast majority of employees (83%) do not believe that the status indicator improves their productivity.
There are many steps that organisations can take to reduce employee anxiety. They can, for example, survey their employees to better understand the issues specific to their organization. Ask about their perception of productivity and trust, and the impact status indicators have on them. By defining status indicators and promoting etiquette in the workplace, organisations can improve communication, create a respectful atmosphere and increase productivity.
Ends
About Perkbox Vivup
Perkbox and Vivup merged forces in July 2024, forming the Perkbox Vivup Group. This platform revolutionises the employee benefit landscape by combining employee benefits, engagement, and wellbeing.
The Perkbox Vivup Group has been in business for over 20 years. Its services range from assisting staff to manage their everyday costs to enhancing the access to mental health specialists. The Group offers support to employees at all stages of their careers, in every area of life.
The Perkbox Vivup Group, trusted by over 7,500 organisations in the public, private and SME sectors, as well as corporates, delivers a range of enhanced benefits and engagement to more than 4 million employees around the world.
The original HR News article Nearly Half of UK workers feel under pressure by Status Indicators appeared first on .
