Some people stay up for hours typing away at their keyboards. They're determined to meet their deadlines and have to work long after the sun's gone down. Many of these people rely on coffee and energy drinks to stay awake during late hours. It's easy to imagine that everyone who does this is in college trying to write a term paper, but they're not – some of them are your employees.
"Binge working" become somewhat common as professionals try to meet the demands of their jobs. In today's interconnected society, workers can access their files at home, so their shifts never really end, even after they leave the office.
NBC News recently noted that binge working has led to some deaths. Ken Matos, a researcher from the Families and Work Institute, explained to the news source that fatalities aren't common, but there are a number of risks involved.
"While dropping over dead at one's desk is likely to be a rare event, experiencing negative health consequences and reduced lifespans, as a result of decades intense work lives with little opportunity for regular recovery, is a more likely possibility," Matos said.
In an interview with The New Yorker, David Solomon, the global co-head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs, explained that this is part of the modern work culture.
"Today, technology means that we're all available 24/7. And, because everyone demands instant gratification and instant connectivity, there are no boundaries, no breaks," Solomon said.
How this affects your business
There are three main issues caused by binge working:
- Employees with greater health issues
- Poor work quality
- A bad company reputation for working extended hours
The first issue is the one you should be most concerned with. You don't want your staff members falling ill and missing work due to lack of sleep or stress. Improved sleep and down time will result in improved health, reduced health insurance claims and greater productivity.
As far as quality, professionals can't be expected to do great work when they're always on the clock. Most people can't produce amazing projects without taking time off and getting away from their responsibilities.
Finally, your reputation will take a major hit when your staff starts binge working. Once potential employees find out about the unreasonable demands of your company, they'll likely search for other opportunities at businesses with shorter hours and a balanced work-life philosophy.
The only way to deal with binge working is to keep everyone's responsibilities at manageable levels. When staff members start making working late a regular routine, you could be headed for a disaster.