Use of work-related communication technology outside regular working hours and work-family conflict (work interference with family and family interference with work): results from the 6th Korean working conditions survey

Abstract

Background Recently, use of work-related communication technology—smartphones, tablets, and laptops—is increasing rapidly by development of technology with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Some studies have suggested that work-related communication technology has a significant link with work-family conflict (WFC) but these studies included only limited number of participants and lacked essential covariates. Therefore, this study analyzes this association using large representative data sample and selected waged workers who were married-couples with children. Methods This study was conducted based on data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS). A total of 17,426 waged workers having a marriage partner and one or more children were selected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether WFC was associated with communication technology use. The odds ratios (ORs) for WFC were stratified by sex and working hours. Results In fully adjusted model, WFC was higher those who used communication technology outside regular working hours compared with those who did not use it (OR: 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–1.97). When stratified by sex and working hours, the effect was greater in women than in men (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.42–2.26 vs. OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.17–1.97) and women who worked over 52 hours per week had the highest OR (3.40; 95% CI: 1.25–9.26). Conclusions This study revealed that the work-related communication technology use outside regular working hours was associated with WFC. The association were greater among those having longer working hours and female workers. These results suggest that appropriate policy should be implemented to reduce working hours and right to disconnect after work, particularly in female workers.

The role of work–family conflict in the association between long working hours and workers’ sleep disturbance and burnout: results from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey

“…Our results are consistent with previous findings that work-family conflict is closely associated with long working hours, sleep disturbance and burnout. 16,[18][19][20] An increase in working hours may inhibit workers from spending time with their family members and doing housework, leading to conflict with family members. Additionally, workers may choose to cope with time pressure caused by long working hours by reducing sleep time to fulfil their family roles, which eventually leads them to be exposed to elevated risks of sleep disturbance and burnout.…”

Association between receiving work communications outside of work hours via telecommunication devices and work-related headaches and eyestrain: a cross-sectional analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey

“…Those who answered “yes” to these consecutive questions were considered to have work-related headaches and eyestrain. Demographic variables included sex, age (< 30, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, and ≥ 60 years), education (less than a high school diploma and more than a college degree), income level (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quintile), occupation (managers, professionals, and office workers), work hours (< 40 hours, 40–52 hours, and > 52 hours), workplace size (small [1–49 workers], medium [50–299 workers], and large [≥ 300 workers]), 8 sleep disorder status, and use of electronic devices such as computers during work hours. For sleep disorder status, the Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale was utilized to assess respondents’ answers to the items “difficulty in initiating sleep,” “difficulty in maintaining sleep,” and “non-restorative sleep,” with a score of 0 for “never,” 1 for “less often,” 2 for “several times a month,” 3 for “several times a week,” and 4 for “daily.” If the sum of the three items was 6 or more, the respondent was considered to have a sleep disorder.…”

“…7 Being constantly connected to work outside of working hours can also blur the boundaries between work and home, leading to work-family conflict. 8 …”

COVID-19 in the Asia Pacific: impact on climate change, allergic diseases and One Health

“…For school children, teenagers, and working adults, while work-from-home became the default mode during the mitigation phase, family members having to use the home as the office did add stress to the psychological effects of COVID-19 [ 51 , 52 ]. The use of digital devices and technology at work and at home disrupted work–life harmony and mental well-being, especially when the boundaries between home and work became blurred during lockdowns [ 53 ].…”