As the 'right to disconnect' becomes a reality, researchers want to know how Australians are recovering from their workday

A study into workplace stress aims to survey hundreds of Australians on how they recover from the workday.  (Pexels: Mizuno K)

Going for a run, socialising, and learning a new hobby – a new research study aims to find out how Australians are recovering from their daily work stresses.

The project will survey hundreds of Australian adults who work full-time to understand "how people manage the daily grind".

Headed by University of Queensland associate professor and organisational psychologist Stacey Parker, it comes as employees prepare for new "right to disconnect" laws to come into effect later this year.

"There's been a lot of pressure on people for a long time, especially in the wake of COVID when we all went into a bit of an emergency mode," she said.

"We kept going and working hard, working from home but also working extended hours to keep on top of everything.

"People are feeling potentially more exhausted than ever, and some of the habits and strategies we had in place [before COVID] just kind of disappeared."

Participants will complete online surveys before and after work for three weeks.

The questions will ask people whether they keep strict boundaries between work, whether they're able to unwind after work, and whether there are demands affecting post-work recovery.

The right to disconnect 'necessary', not just 'desirable' 

The government in February passed its "right to disconnect" laws, which give employees the right to refuse contact outside their working hours unless refusal is unreasonable.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has labelled the new rules "not just desirable but necessary".

ACTU president Michele O'Neil said: "The right to disconnect simply provides a mechanism for workers to reasonably reclaim a level of work-life balance amid an increasingly tech-dominated society.

"Employers want to be able to contact workers outside of working hours in a range of circumstances such as asking them about tasks that were not completed during their working hours.

"That is the very type of contact where it may be reasonable for a worker to refuse to respond until they are next back at work."

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Parker said there had been a "blurring" of boundaries, in part because of the increased use of technology and work-from-home arrangements.

"But as well because of the increased uptake of flexible work arrangements and hybrid working, which employees are seeking more and more to help manage their day-to-day," she said.

"It can be quite challenging to keep work and personal life completely separate."

The laws will come into effect on August 26 of this year for non-small businesses and on August 26, 2025 for small businesses.

The search for 'meaningful' downtime after work 

When it comes to achieving more of a work-life balance, Dr Parker said there were many "simple and practical" things people could do, noting her research was focused on finding out "what works best".

"[While] uninterrupted downtime is important, time alone on recovery is insufficient," she said.

"It's what we do with our downtime that matters.

"Are the sorts of things that [people] do in their downtime things that bring about really important psychological experiences, things that can help us feel restored and relaxed?

"We can … engage in meaningful pursuits in our downtime whether that's going for a run or socialising, doing some kind of creative pursuit, or volunteering for some personally important cause.

"[Then] we're free from the pressures and demands of work. We're not ruminating or worrying about work.

"What the research tells us is that engaging in those really meaningful pursuits is what really helps us have this sense of psychological detachment from work and a chance to relax and unwind.

"Just going home and sitting on the couch and watching Netflix is okay, but it's not the sort of recovery activity that's really optimal.

"It's sort of like treading water.

"Engaging in recreation … is what's really going to bring about experiences with detachment, relaxation … and restoring your energy levels."