One in three employees (33%) is getting emails from their boss over the weekend and they are expected to reply, according to a new survey by Right Management.
Another third reported receiving emails from their boss on the weekend but not often, only from time to time.
Thirty seven percent report no communication at all.
"Everybody once thought technology would reduce the drudgery and make the workplace more efficient," said Monika Morrow, senior vice president, Right Management. "Sure, technology has delivered great benefits to employees, but also crosses the boundary between the workplace and the worker's own private space. It seems one can no longer get away at all from work or responsibility."
The company specifically asked if workers were expected to respond to the emails from their boss, Morrow noted. "So we were not talking about broadcast emails or purely informational communications, but those intended for a particular person and looking for a response. It's now taken for granted that everyone has to check their work email during the weekend."
Morrow suggested managers set clear expectations about what really needs to be addressed over the weekend. "And if stuff might just as easily wait until Monday, say so."
