Work-Life Trap: Managers Say ‘Unplug’—Then Punish You for It

A new study uncovers a troubling workplace contradiction: while managers encourage work-life balance, they’re less likely to promote employees who actually set boundaries. Dubbed the “detachment paradox,” the research shows that even small actions like setting an out-of-office reply or ignoring emails on vacation can make workers seem less committed—despite boosting productivity and morale. Experts say failing to truly respect time off leads to burnout, higher turnover, and lower performance. So why are we still glorifying nonstop availability?