New report shows 'respecting employees' downtime no longer just a perk – it's a necessity'
More than half of employees in Singapore revealed that they receive after-hours contact from their employers, with a third saying this is negatively impacting their health, according to a new report from Indeed.
The report, which surveyed 500 employees and 500 employers, found that 59% of employees experience disruptions to their personal lives due to after-hours contact.
Among them, 37% said this has negative impacts on their mental and physical health, underscoring the consequences of after-hours contact on wellbeing.
The findings come as right-to-disconnect policies gain more traction across the world, most recently in Australia, where employees there get the authority to refuse after-hours contact from their bosses.
In Singapore, no similar legislation is in place, but 46% of employees there said they would consider leaving their employer if a "right to disconnect" policy was introduced and not respected.
Saumitra Chand, Career Expert at Indeed, said the findings highlight the importance of employee downtime.
"The findings show that respecting employees' downtime is no longer just a perk; it's a necessity," Chand said in a statement. "In today's talent-driven market, boundaries aren't a weakness; they're a competitive advantage."
After-hours contact by employers
According to the report, employers appear to be aware of employees' sentiments regarding after-hours contact. In fact, 88% of employers surveyed acknowledge the potential loss of talent if they fail to respect work-life boundaries, the report revealed.
However, 78% of employers are worried about potential productivity losses if they commit to no after-hours contact.
But Indeed stressed that regular disruptions after work hours contribute to "employee burnout, reduced engagement, and higher turnover rates."
"Employers who respect their teams' right to disconnect are not just keeping up with the times — they're creating a healthier, more productive work environment," Chand said.
"Companies that embrace structured downtime will not only attract top talent but also foster a culture where employees thrive."
