On leave but working: the struggle to disconnect

EVERY December, South Africa exhales.

- ANJA VAN BEEK

The fear of "falling behind" keeps many professionals logged in to work when they should be resting and enjoying some well-deserved down-time.

We pack our bags, set up out-of-office replies and promise ourselves we will really switch off this time. But even as we sit on the beach, gather around a braai, or drive to our favourite getaway, our minds wander back to unread emails, project deadlines and next year’s goals.It's not restlessness that keeps us connected to work — it’s something far more subtle and pervasive. It's the fear of “falling behind”.

Constant connection

For many professionals, this fear is the quiet force that keeps them working when they should be resting. Many of us are still conditioned to believe that if we don’t respond, we might seem disinterested. Or if we're not visible, we’ll be overlooked. The pressure to “stay in the loop” doesn’t disappear when we go on leave; it simply follows us into our holidays.

IMD research found that 94% of professionals work 50 plus hours per week, with nearly half exceeding 65 hours. Many also spend 20 to 25 hours weekly monitoring phones and emails outside of office hours. This “always-on” culture erodes mental health and makes true recovery nearly impossible.