Work-Life Imbalance: 46% of North Carolina Workers Exceed Unpaid Contractual Hours

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Are you finding yourself working unpaid overtime? If so, you're not alone. In today's connected world, it's increasingly common for work to spill over into personal time, blurring the lines between the two.

This issue has sparked discussions about the need for boundaries, as highlighted by a recent California bill aimed at ensuring employees' "right to disconnect." This bill, if passed, would allow workers to ignore after-hours calls, emails, and texts from their employers—an essential step in protecting personal time.

While this proposed legislation faces resistance from employers, the reality is that the prevalence of remote work and constant connectivity has led to a significant overlap between work and home life.

Without clear boundaries, many employees are experiencing burnout—a sentiment echoed in a recent survey by VoiceNation. The survey revealed that North Carolina ranks as the second most burnt-out state, with 87% of workers reporting feelings of burnout, much of which can be traced back to unpaid overtime.

In North Carolina, the data shows that 56% of workers are checking emails after hours, 44% are working earlier than their contracted hours, and 46% are staying late.

This continuous overextension not only affects personal well-being but also impacts job performance, leading to the potential loss of valuable employees. It's a stark reminder of the importance of establishing and maintaining work-life balance.