Blurring work-life communcation - are you always on?

It is easy to understand how technology blurs the lines between our work and private lives, and how this also impacts on our happiness levels.

What is less easy to see is how the bleeding of professional and private social circles can also affect our happiness. And with 305 of respondents to a survey saying that positive relationships at work are important to them, this subject is not going anywhere soon.

The importance of relationships at work (and outside the office)

Separating our private and professional lives is becoming increasingly complex due to the presence of connected device, activities outside of work, and normal out-of-office socializing. The introduction of MIllennials and Generation Y have also changed the equilibrium of the workforce, with their differing expectations of what a workplace should offer.

In 21st century US, 64% of employees have contact with their colleagues outside of office hours. This could mean sending messages or callng each other about topics that are not related to work (50%), meeting after work for social gatherings (48%), events at weekends (21%), or even going on holidays with colleagues (12%).

The survey also tells us that these social norms change as people a) get older and have families, and b) have more responsibility at work, highlighting that the new generations entering the workplace have different drivers when creating bonds with colleagues. For example, 36% of respondents over 45 socialize after work, compared with 65% of under 35 - and