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Desire for ‘Severance’: Many Employees Wish to Disconnect Work from Personal Life
A recent study reveals a striking sentiment among the workforce: a significant portion of employees, particularly younger generations, express a desire to “sever” their work memories from their personal lives, mirroring the premise of the popular Apple TV+ series “Severance.” The survey highlights growing concerns regarding work-life balance and the increasing pressures faced by today’s professionals, leading some to contemplate extreme measures for mental well-being.
Employee Desire for Work-Life Separation: Key Survey Findings
According to a survey of 2,000 UK workers conducted by market research agency Savanta for mental health platform Unmind, a notable 35% expressed willingness to undergo a hypothetical medical procedure to separate their professional and personal consciousness.
Generational Divide in “Severance” Appeal
The desire for such separation is particularly pronounced among younger workers. The survey data indicated that:
- Among 18- to 25-year-olds, an astonishing 46% favored the idea of “severance.”
- In contrast, only 20% of workers aged 55 and older expressed similar interest.
The Blurring Lines of Work and Personal Life
Dr. Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, commented on the survey results, stating, “The fact that so many employees relate to the characters in ‘Severance’ demonstrates the extent to which the boundaries between work and personal life have become indistinct.”
The survey, conducted between March 14-17, coincides with the conclusion of the second season of the acclaimed psychological drama.
Mental Health Concerns and Workplace Culture
Taylor further emphasized the implications for workplace well-being: “This research serves as a stark reminder of the stress and pressure individuals are experiencing. No one should feel compelled to entirely erase their work lives as a coping mechanism. Instead of employees feeling they must completely disconnect from work to safeguard their mental health, leaders should cultivate environments where individuals feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, without experiencing overwhelm or burnout.”
Prevalence of “Work Persona” and Identity Confusion
A significant proportion of employees reported experiencing a disconnect between their work and personal identities, similar to the characters in “Severance”.
The survey revealed that:
- 38% of respondents acknowledged having a distinct “work persona” separate from their true selves outside of work, mirroring the “innie” and “outie” dichotomy in the show.
- This figure was even higher among Gen-Z employees, reaching 52%.
Overall, 30% of employees felt their job excessively dominates their identity, making the separation of personal and professional spheres a constant struggle, according to the study.
Always-On Work Culture and Digital Intrusion
The survey also highlighted the challenges employees face in disconnecting from work outside of working hours:
- 41% of respondents reported difficulty “switching off” after work hours.
- 40% had been contacted by their employer during non-working hours.
- 44% regularly check work emails or messages outside of their designated work time.
Work-Life Balance Satisfaction and Workplace Productivity Perception
While 56% of respondents expressed satisfaction with their work-life balance, significant concerns remain:
- 29% have contemplated resigning from their jobs due to poor work-life balance.
- Over one-third (36%) reported feeling guilt when taking time off.
Furthermore, mirroring the fictional Lumon Industries and reflecting practices in many actual workplaces, approximately one in three employees, and nearly half of Gen-Z workers, admitted to pretending to be busy to appear productive at work on occasion.