{"id":739080,"date":"2026-07-02T14:38:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T14:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/739080\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T14:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T14:38:09","slug":"many-workers-no-longer-feel-there-is-a-natural-point-where-pressure-eases-or-where-they-can-properly-switch-off-always-on-culture-is-pushing-brits-to-breaking-point-and","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/739080\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Many workers no longer feel there is a natural point where pressure eases or where they can properly switch off\u2019: ‘Always on’ culture is pushing Brits to breaking point \u2013 and nearly half are ready to quit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Always on\u2019 culture<\/a> is placing significant pressure on workers across the UK, according to new research, with nearly half (42%) considering quitting roles due to stress.<\/p>\n

A study from HR platform HiBob suggests the trend is \u201cbecoming the norm\u201d for many employees, with workplace intensity building significantly in recent years.<\/p>\n

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More than half (58%) of respondents revealed pressure in their role has increased compared to two years ago, while 49% feel \u201cexpected to always be available\u201d.<\/p>\n

The result is that around one-third (36%) now work late on a regular basis, with 50% checking work messages while on holiday. Notably, the grind starts almost immediately on a daily basis for many, with 55% of respondents revealing they check work messages within just minutes of waking up.<\/p>\n

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Toby Hough, VP of people & culture for EMEA at HiBob, said the study highlights a concerning \u201cstructural shift in how work happens\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany workers no longer feel there is a natural point where pressure eases or where they can properly switch off, while managers increasingly find themselves balancing rising performance expectations with protecting employee wellbeing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeft unaddressed, this shift poses a significant long-term risk to businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Workers can\u2019t switch off<\/p>\n

The study from HiBob suggests that mounting workplace intensity means workers are finding it \u201charder than ever\u201d to switch off after their day is finished.<\/p>\n

Around two-in-five (42%), for example, admitted checking work messages in the middle of conversations, while 29% do so on dates.<\/p>\n

Managerial expectations are fanning the flames on this front, according to the survey, with nearly half (49%) highlighting a demand to always be available.<\/p>\n

For some, these activities are warranted. More than one-quarter (27%) said they believe that failing to respond to work-related messages after hours could harm their career opportunities.<\/p>\n

The source of this pressure often comes from senior leadership, however. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of managers said they\u2019re now expected to maintain consistent high-performance levels, and many are absorbing this pressure.<\/p>\n

HiBob noted that this spill over between work and personal life is having a serious negative impact on employee wellbeing<\/a>. Nearly half (47%) feel mentally exhausted at the end of their working day while stress negatively affects sleep among 41%.<\/p>\n

Managers are at breaking point<\/p>\n

The top-down pressure at many organizations is causing significant stress across all seniority levels, according to the study. Around half (51%) of managers said they feel underprepared and out of their depth when it comes to dealing with heightened expectations.<\/p>\n

Hough warned organizations that fail to tackle the issue could create huge downstream problems, particularly in terms of retaining talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cCompanies therefore need to recognize that people-first cultures are performance-first cultures. Sustainable high performance cannot exist without the right support, recovery, and trust within teams,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cBusinesses now need to equip managers with the training, guidance, and tools needed to lead through this new era of constant pressure and help teams perform consistently over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crucially, around half (47%) of respondents noted there are no longer clear quiet periods at work, with employees locked in a state of constant activity. This tracks closely with a study from Twilio last year, which revealed that workers are calling for periods of \u2018digital silence\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n

That study found roughly half (47%) of workers are now prioritizing periods in their daily workflow that are free from distractions, email chains, and calls.<\/p>\n

Twilio said the pushback comes largely due to the increasing array of communication platforms used by workers on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

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