Your Late-Night Emails Are Hurting Your Team

Being “always on” hurts results. When employees are constantly monitoring their email after work hours – because they are afraid of missing something from you, or because they are addicted to their devices – they are missing out on essential down time that brains need. Disconnecting from their devices allows employees to recharge their creativity and motivation, so company leaders should set clear and healthy expectations about communication outside of work hours. A company policy could, for example, discourage email after 10pm and on weekends. Leaders should also examine their attitudes toward an always-on work environment and avoid making the (incorrect) assumption that more work equals more success. Long work hours actually decrease productivity and engagement. Instead of keeping employees busy and distracted with constant emails, leaders should limit after-hours communication and emphasize the important of presence and attention at work by putting devices away during conversations and meetings.