Oh great, another message from the boss. You open it with barely a moment’s pause, skim through the words, then slam your laptop shut, barking at your little one to find the remote already. Next stop? Pouring yourself that much-needed glass of wine.
If after-work emails send you into a tailspin, you’re definitely not flying solo. A study from the College of Business at the University of Texas at Arlington, highlighted by PsychCentral, found that many employees feel a surge of frustration when work emails invade their home life. This frustration often spills over into their personal relationships. “Participants reported feelings of anger upon receiving work-related emails or texts after hours, especially if the messages were poorly worded or demanded a lot of their time,” explains study author Jenna Fields.
The research observed 314 working adults over a week, revealing two categories of workers: segmentors, who prefer to keep work and home life distinct, and integrators, who thrive on being in the loop all the time. Not surprisingly, the segmentors experienced more negative impacts from post-work emails. While integrators also felt that familiar anger, it didn’t disrupt their lives to the same extent, Fields noted.
So, what’s the solution? The researchers suggest some employer training could go a long way—like learning the right timing for emails and knowing which topics are best left for the office. “With smartphones and the ‘always-on’ culture, after-hours communication is now the norm,” said Rachel Bright, dean of the university’s College of Business. “But just like any aspect of business, it’s all in the execution.”
Here’s a radical thought: how about you stop checking your emails after hours?
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In summary, after-work emails can wreak havoc on your home life, especially for those who strive for a clear boundary between work and personal time. Finding strategies to manage these communications could be key to preserving your sanity.