How do you fight against blurring?

How to Manage the “Blurring” While Working From Home: Balancing Life Pro-Life and Disconnecting ‍

Teleworking offers many advantages, especially in terms of flexibility and balance between professional and personal life. However, it also presents challenges. One of them, which is becoming more and more important, is the phenomenon of “blurring” or “blur out”.

In this article, we'll discuss the pros and cons of working remotely. We will also give you tips for employees and managers, and on how to effectively combat “blurring”.

What is “Blurring” or “Blur Out”?

“Blurring” is a phenomenon that refers to the use of digital tools outside of work hours.

More precisely, this expression, which comes from “blur” (blur), refers to The erosion of the work-personal life border. Teleworking is one of the causes, by transforming the home into a workplace for some employees for part of the week.

According to a study by Eléas, 37% of workers reported using digital tools outside of their office hours in 2016. This phenomenon may have harmful effects on mental and physical health employees. In the most serious cases, it can even lead to burn-out. ‍

The origins of “Blurring”

The digitalization of our society is primarily responsible for this phenomenon, with the omnipresence of technologies and requests in our daily lives.

Today, all work tools are often at your fingertips: accessible directly on your smartphone. In the past, leaving the office marked the end of the working day. Now, it is not uncommon to see, most often, managers answer the phone late hours, or check their emails at the weekend.

Risk profiles

Certain profiles of managers and employees are more likely to fall into these practices.

For example, managers who have not been trained in new management methods, especially hybrid management methods, do not always have the right reflexes.

Establishing a clear border between Professional and personal life can become a real headache for the assets concerned.

Read also: the impact of teleworking on the mental health of employees: understanding the issues and solutions for a better balance

The Health Risks of “Blurring”

According to the 2019 Social Security annual report, “the proportion of work-related mental illnesses whose occupational origin has been recognized over the past four years has been around 51% of requests”. This phenomenon can cause damage to the mental and physical health of employees.

Health consequences

Very energy-intensive, this constant reactivity can deprive employees of regular rest. As a result of the impossibility of disconnecting, fatigue and stress caused by these constant solicitations can lead to somatic disorders.

In addition, consulting a telephone or computer screen before going to sleep considerably alters sleep.

Tips for remote employees

To avoid “blurring”, it is crucial to properly Define the range of activity during the day. Set work schedules for yourself, based on office hours. Eliminate distractions as much as possible and remember to take regular breaks.

In addition, find out about the instructions given by your company on disconnecting. If there is none yet, do not hesitate to contact your human resources department on the subject.

Read also: 5 mistakes to avoid when working from home

Tips for remote managers

Ensuring the proper functioning of your team is also monitor the performance and health of your employees. Be strict about time limits and always stay in touch with your teams.

A good example to give may be scheduling your emails when you write them outside of work hours. You can also encourage employees to cut off at the end of the day, with a dedicated point.

The “blurring” in remote work is a phenomenon that can have serious consequences on the health of employees and the performance of the company. It is therefore essential to take steps to avoid it.

Do you want to know more? Discover all our articles on well-being at work!‍