(in German)

Work related permanent availability can be defined as employees' availability for work related tasks or availability of work related tasks for employees which exceeds the work domain into other life domains. This report presents scientific results concerning associations between work related permanent availability, life-domain-balance and health of employees. Subsequently, assumptions concerning the effects of work related permanent availability are deduced. A review of the literature revealed 42 articles reporting 189 correlations of which two thirds are significant. Smartphone and use of other communication technologies for work purposes in the evening and high permeability of the border between work and private life for work related tasks comes with impairments of health and private life. Concerning health impairments (exhaustion, stress, recovery deficits) there are small to medium effects. Regarding impairments of the private life (e.g. conflicts between life domains) there are small to large effects. Even the expectation of employees’ availability for work related tasks outside of regular work hours correlates with impairments of the private life.

Conclusion: Judging from the scientific evidence, there are negative effects of work related permanent availability on health and private life, while positive effects remain largely unclear. Therefore, work related permanent availability is evaluated to pose a risk for health and life-domain-balance. The strength of associations depends on personal characteristics as well as the overall work and life situation. Further research seems necessary to clarify causality.

Please download the complete report "Consequences of permanent availability on life-domain-balance and health" (in German only).