A recent study found that tech and media workers are putting in more weekend hours than ever, as mass layoffs have led to heavier workloads and remote work blurs the line between working and living.
To find out just how many people are being pressured to work during their days off, in March, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,000 full-time remote and hybrid workers.
The results:
- 1 in 8 remote or hybrid workers say they work 7 days/week, every week
- This number increases to 1 in 7 for workers at companies who have experienced layoffs
- 53% of remote workers work some weekends every month
- 11% say their company requires them to work more than 5 days/week, every week, without providing additional time off
1 in 8 Employees Work 7 Days/Week, Every Week
Twelve percent of remote and hybrid workers surveyed say they work all 7 days a week every week, while 30% say they do this a couple of weeks per month, and 23% say they do this about one week per month.
When employees are working on their “days off,” the majority say they work between 2 and 6 hours, though some report working as many as 8-10 hours on their days off.
Additionally, 73% of respondents ‘somewhat’ (49%) or ‘strongly’ (24%) agree that they work on their days off because their workload is too heavy.
“An unintended result of companies laying off employees is that they are left with those still employed and needing to take up the slack from those workers who have been laid off,” comments Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller.
“It will be important going forward to address the added burden on existing employees as our survey clearly shows that 75% of those overworked are likely to look for a new position. While companies are trying to save money in their labor costs, they may likely increase due to turnover within their workforce above and beyond those they have laid off,” she advises.
Recent Layoffs Result in Even More Work for Remote Employees
Fifty-six percent of the total sample says their company has experienced layoffs within the last six months. Of this group, 89% say the layoffs have caused their workloads to ‘somewhat’ (48%) or ‘greatly’ (41%) increase.
Additionally, more than one-third of this group say they typically work 6+ hours on their “days off” and 1 in 7 say they work 7 days/week, every week.
“Those employees need to address their situation if they feel overworked and discuss with their managers how to manage their new workload,” says Haller.
“Burnout may cause more attrition that was not intended with the onset of layoffs and studies are still showing that this is a problem. Flexibility has given workers the ability to define their work hours, but more work hours in a week are burdening many.”
1 in 10 Say Company Forces Them to Work More Than 5 Days/Week, Every Week
Eleven percent of total respondents say their company requires them to work more than 5 days/week, every week, without providing additional time off. This number was again higher for workers at companies that have experienced recent layoffs.
Of the 1 in 5 workers who rate their work/life balance as ‘somewhat’ (16%) or ‘very’ (4%) unhealthy, 74% say they are likely to look for a new job if their work/life balance stays as it is now.
“To maintain a solid and engaged workforce, the engagement part is required. Companies need to communicate why and how they are laying off employees as well as address the support they will give to those who will take on more as a result. Those who do not feel valued will surely seek new positions as the market is still strong with more positions available, especially remote ones,” explains Haller.
Methodology
This survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the survey platform Pollfish on March 8, 2023. In total, 1,000 participants in the U.S. completed the full survey.
All participants had to pass through demographic filters to ensure they were currently employed for wages, worked at a company with at least two employees, had a household income of at least $25,000, and were at least 22 years of age. Respondents then went through a primary screening to include only remote or hybrid workers, and a secondary screening to include only full-time employees.
The survey used a convenience sampling method, and to avoid bias from this component Pollfish employs Random Device Engagement (RDE) to ensure both random and organic surveying. Learn more about Pollfish’s survey methodology or contact [email protected] for more information.
