There has been a long-standing discussion about the necessity to provide employees with a right to disconnect, and recent studies from a number of countries suggest that the transition to remote working in the wake of the epidemic has resulted in longer working hours for millions of individuals. Workers have the right to disconnect from work when not on the clock.
Due to the prevalence of remote technologies, working from home has become more like sleeping at the office for millions of us.
Many employees have trouble turning off their work brains, so some nations are pushing for "right-to-disconnect" policies that would make it illegal for workers to check their emails or respond to work-related messages after hours.
Pop-up messages urging the writer to reconsider sending an email after hours is one proactive action some organisations are taking to encourage employees to leave work at the office. When it comes to preventing employees from sending emails outside of business hours, some organisations resort to harsh measures like turning off servers overnight. Let's try to understand the bad side of working for long hours in an office or somewhere else.
The Problem?
Overtime is a win-win situation for employers and workers. Although working overtime allows businesses to respond to fluctuations in demand and staffing needs without having to add new employees and allows workers to earn more money at a premium rate, it can be counterproductive if employees routinely put in excessive hours.
Depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, and high blood pressure are only some of the illnesses that scientists have linked to extended work hours and the absence of weekend rest. The risk of stroke increases by 35% and the risk of heart disease by 17% if you work more than 55 hours a week, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people have had to make major adjustments to their daily routines. There is now a blurring of lines between the workplace and the home as telework has become the standard in many fields. In addition, many businesses have been forced to reduce their operations or close down entirely in order to save money, and those who have kept their jobs have had to put in extra hours just to make ends meet.
Getting the paycheck isn't worth the potential for a stroke or heart attack. In order to safeguard workers' health, governments, businesses, and employees must collaborate to establish reasonable limitations. Worker weariness, whether from a single long day or the cumulative effect of numerous days of long hours, can raise the likelihood of accidents occurring on the job, adding to the health concerns associated with working excessive hours.
Reducing The Health Risks Caused By Long Working Hours?
The question then becomes how to address the fact that many companies view remote work arrangements or long-hour work as a viable long-term strategy and intend to keep them in place even after the pandemic has ended.
Now that we know that working long hours is a risk factor and that it's responsible for nearly a third of the total estimated work-related disorders, we need to make some adjustments to how we think about and respond to occupational risk factors that affect human health.
Employers can't be counted on to turn off the servers at night or on the weekends or to pop-up programme warnings to advise us not to put in too many hours. One must ensure their own well-being and safety, even by using a height adjustable desk. Establishing a separation between work and personal time is essential, as are tactics for efficient productivity when at the office. Let's discuss more on how the health risk can be reduced:
Prioritise And Focus: Dealing with too much at once can lead to stress and anxiety. You may end up getting less done if you try to multitask. Instead, you should concentrate on just a few essential tasks each day. Efficiency and output can be improved by giving time management and organisational priority.
Increase Your Productivity: If you're looking for a way to get more done without putting in more hours, try developing better habits around time management, including creating and keeping a daily to-do list. If you put in the effort and produce results, you can rest easy knowing you've earned your downtime. At the same time, a standing desk or an office desk from Flexispot can help increase productivity considerably.
Take Breaks And Exercise: Take little breaks during the day to stretch and take in some fresh air. Reduce stress and avoid the health problems that come with it by increasing your daily activity. One simple way to accomplish this is to hold more stand-up meetings or arrange coffee breaks with coworkers that involve short trips outside. Lunch can also be eaten in the break room rather than at your desk. You can't afford to take a single false step.
Create Boundaries Between Work And Life: Separating your work life from your personal life is a choice you can make and an action you can do. You can use this time to rest and revitalise.
Ask For Help: Don't keep it to yourself if you're feeling stressed; talk to your boss about how your work has taken over your life and how much less productive you've been. Improve your level of commitment by working with your company.
Participate In Non-Work Activities: Include non-work activities like exercise, listening to music, or spending time with friends on your to-do list to prevent work from "sticking with you" even after hours or during your leisure time. Put these in your calendar regularly, if not every day.
Bottom Line
Keep in mind that it is in everyone's best interest if you are a happy and productive worker. The more invested and productive you are, the more you can accomplish. Buying yourself an adjustable desk from Flexispot can make a big difference. So, follow all the above-mentioned steps to reduce the health risks caused by long working hours at your workplace. This is absolutely the right thing you can do for yourself and your family.
