- Survey reveals 92% of UK workers struggle to mentally switch off outside of work
- Only 1% said they never check email, messages, or perform work tasks outside of business hours.
- Always-On Workforce Report 2026 surveyed 1,500 professionals
A new report on the off-hours activities of UK employees reveals that workers seem to really enjoy being at work – either that or they find it difficult to disconnect from the intensity of their contracted schedules.
The Always-On Workforce Report 2026, conducted by MyPerfectCV, found that 92% of 1,500 professionals surveyed said they performed work tasks and responded to emails and messages beyond their contracted hours.
Furthermore, workers admitted that they worked during their sick leave and felt guilty when requesting annual leave. Interestingly, a significant portion of those surveyed said management expectations led to their inability to disconnect.
Working while sick
The report’s findings regarding the disease are particularly concerning. Of the 1,500 people surveyed (500 in the UK and 1,000 in Spain, Italy, France and Germany), 91% of UK workers admitted to working while on sick leave. Additionally, 34% of them “frequently” worked while feeling unwell rather than taking sick leave, and 57% admitted to doing the same “occasionally.”
The investigation’s conclusion on these statistics is that they point “towards a culture of presenteeism where employees feel pressured to overcome illness rather than prioritizing recovery.”
Meanwhile, annual leave also remains an issue for UK workers. Employers have a duty to manage annual leave requests responsibly, refusing or rejecting requests with sufficient notice, and only refusing citing valid business reasons, such as staff shortages. However, according to this survey, 31% admit to worrying about asking for their public holidays.
The fight against mental disconnection is real
An interesting finding from the report is what’s behind UK workers’ inability to ‘switch off’. 50% of those surveyed blame heavy workloads, while a significant 44% attribute it to management expectations.
55% of employees admit to checking their emails, responding to messages and carrying out professional tasks on a daily basis, which seems to indicate a blurring of the line between professional and personal time. It is significantly higher than the European equivalent of 29%.
Not taking time off from work can have serious consequences on personal relationships and mental health. To underline this, 34% say they still find it “difficult to mentally disconnect from work in their free time.”
“Being ‘always connected’ isn’t defined by a single behavior: it’s the accumulation of small decisions to stay connected,” noted Jasmine Escalera of MyPerfectCV.
“Whether it’s checking emails while on holiday, responding outside of working hours or working when sick, the line between work and personal time has become increasingly blurred for many UK employees.”
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