Background: The line between work-life and personal life has been blurred as a consequence of the constant connectivity from the rising technological innovation. It has resulted in many employees using work-related information and communication technologies (WICTs) after work hours, which has been shown to have negative consequences such as burnout and strained personal relationships. Several countries in the EU have put legislation that forbids managers from reprimanding employees who do not engage in after-hours use of WICTs as a result of the European Parliament’s initiative to implement a right to disconnect. However, Sweden has shown no interest in such a law. Purpose: The study aims to understand how Swedish employees of Generation X in the consulting industry cope with work-life balance, particularly in managing communication demands after hours. It also aims to find the benefits of potentially implementing regulations on this in Sweden. In order to uncover significant insights, an exploration of coping mechanisms and the impact of digitalization on work-related ICTs (WICTs) was made. Method: To fulfill the research purpose, a qualitative study was conducted using a deductive research design. The interviews were semi-structured, and a total of eight participants in Generation X in the consulting industry participated in the study. Conclusion: The findings revealed a spectrum of various coping mechanisms impacted by digitalization and generational differences. While individuals exhibit diverse approaches, organizations must be aware of the complexities and set policies to create a healthy environment that fosters employee well-being.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hj-64552 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Haglund, Amanda, Svensson, Emma |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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