Our society has changed considerably due to the advancements of technology and its influence on our everyday lives.

With regards to communication, this is evermore present.

Due to the advancement of technology, many organizations have moved to conduct their communications on platforms like Slack.

As a result, the expectations of a workers availability have shifted.

What Is “Reply ASAP” Culture?

This demand is akin to the same pressures of a personal relationship.

This cultural expectation is maintained by the integration of work and personal life communication.

For example, smartphones have allowed people to house their personal and professional lives on the same unit.

Or someone following up an unread email through your Instagram DMs.

As a result, more Americans find themselves online more than ever.

Thus, the increase is bound to continue as our dependence on technology increases too.

Why Is This Cultural Dynamic Harmful?

Mentally, many workersanxietyanddepressioncan increase which could lead to social isolation.

The lack of boundaries creates a vicious circle where employees begin to limit their social activities.

This can lead them to feel isolated and unengaged, which leads to increased anxiety.

Therefore, it is imperative that people begin to re-establish their work-life boundaries.

How Can Employees Improve Their Workplace Boundaries?

The ramifications of apoor work-life balanceare clear.

So what can workers do to ensure they maintain good workplace boundaries?

The most impact comes from how a supervisor or business owner sets their expectations early on, says Pirano.

But what does this look like?

This could also include informing your workers that they are allowed to disconnect for various reasons.

Knowing that their boundaries are supported will also benefit employees.

Its only through open and honest communication that we can fix the burden of reply ASAP culture.

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Pew Research Center.About three-in-ten U.S. adults say they are almost constantly online.

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