For the longest time, we've been told that it is important to stress on detaching from work once you leave the workplace. However, now a study has found that it is just as important to reattach yourself to work when you get back. When you think about reattaching yourself to work, you start achieving better goals. It helps you think about the task at hand, how you're going to complete the task and what resources you might need to complete the task.
“We know that detachment from work during non-work hours is important because it creates positive outcomes like higher life satisfaction and lower burnout,” said a professor. “Now we need to think about helping people mentally reconnect to work at the beginning of their work shift or day so they can create positive outcomes during their work day and be immersed in their work. It’s not enough to just show up.”
151 participants from various industries including finance, entertainment, public administration, information and communication as well as the health sector were surveyed for this study. The researchers found that reattachment can vary from day to day and depending on what field the person works in. “Through reattachment, employees are able to activate work-related goals, which then further creates positive experiences which allow people to be more engaged at work,” the researchers said.
“Engagement is a sense of energy, sense of feeling absorbed, feeling dedicated to work, and those are all very important motivational experiences that translate to positive outcomes for both employees and organisations. They’re more satisfied with work, more committed to work, enjoy work tasks more, perform better and help out more with extra tasks.” The researchers concluded by saying that it is important that companies develop norms that help their employees reattach to work. This way the company's goals are achieved and the employee can function smoothly too.
