Perceptions and effects of the right to disconnect from work : an intersectional study across generations, gender, and life stages in the digital era

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of work-related after-hours digital communication has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life, raising significant concerns about employee well-being. Using an intersectional lens, this study investigated how the perceptions and implications of digital connectivity vary across generations, between women and men and their life stages. An online questionnaire was used to gather data from 234 respondents in Malta, utilising a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to examine psychological and physical well-being outcomes and the extent to which demographic variables shape the experience of digital overconnectivity. Contrary to initial hypotheses, younger generations reported significantly higher levels of psychological strain and disrupted sleep due to work-related digital connectivity, despite their digital fluency. Gender-based differences in well-being were not statistically significant, although descriptive trends and qualitative feedback suggested persistent, gendered challenges, particularly for women with caregiving responsibilities. Life-stage comparisons similarly yielded no significant inferential results, though respondents in the main working/parental phase showed slightly higher indicators of stress and disruption. Furthermore, significant positive relationships were observed between the frequency of after-hours digital connectivity and negative well-being outcomes, reinforcing the cumulative impact of digital overwork. These findings highlight the limitations of one-size-fits-all approach to work-life balance and underscore the need for policy changes and shifts in organisational cultures that acknowledge the intersectional realities of modern employees. The study offers theoretical and practical insights, advocating for structurally embedded right to disconnect strategies that move beyond flexibility and address hidden pressures linked to career stage, caregiving, and unspoken norms of constant availability.