Majority of Spanish Workers Contacted Outside Office Hours
Recent studies reveal a growing trend of Spanish professionals responding to work-related messages outside their regular hours. According to the latest Wellbeing and Work Health Study 2026 by Edenred, Savia, and Ommnio, 81.6% of workers in Spain now engage with work calls or messages after hours, up from 65% the previous year—an increase of 16.6 percentage points.
Additionally, a 2025 InfoJobs survey found that 63% of employees continue to respond to work communications during holidays, with two-thirds reporting that their companies do not promote digital disconnection.
The issue of work-life balance is more complex for frontline workers, such as those in retail, logistics, and healthcare, who often rely on personal phones for communication. This group frequently faces variable shifts and needs real-time updates, leading to ongoing group chats that don’t pause for holidays. In contrast to office workers who can simply shut down their laptops or set out-of-office notifications, these employees find it harder to disconnect.
The studies indicate that the challenge of disconnection is not solely down to individual habits; it is closely tied to how companies structure their communication. Only 9% of workers feel their employers encourage awareness of the right to disconnect or send automated messages regarding office hours and alternate contacts for emergencies.
Furthermore, the need to disconnect extends into holiday periods. Research from SD Worx shows that Spanish workers believe they need an average of 27.1 days of leave to fully unwind, one of the highest figures in Europe. For frontline teams, creating specific communication channels can help distinguish essential updates from those that can wait until employees return.
In scenarios requiring immediate response to emergencies—like fires or adverse weather—having dedicated communication channels allows swift, clear instruction without cluttering personal devices.
Ultimately, achieving work-life balance for those outside the traditional office involves not just individual choices but also the need for effective workplace communication that respects downtime.
