In recent decades, workplaces have undergone numerous changes that significantly affect employees’ quality of life and the balance between work and private life. Digitalisation and constant connectivity are blurring the boundaries between the two spheres: work increasingly enters leisure time, while personal activities more frequently spill into working hours. This phenomenon, defined as switching off at the workplace, refers to behaviours in which employees are physically present but engage in personal tasks (e.g., internet use, handling private matters, social conversations with colleagues). This Master’s thesis represents the first study in Slovenia to examine the prevalence and extent of switching off and its consequences for various organisational outcomes (job satisfaction, organisational commitment, work efficiency, work performance, procrastination). Results show that participants on average disengage for 4.04 hours per week and up to a maximum of 15.78 hours – most commonly through digital activities (use of social media, internet, email) and interactions with colleagues, while physical forms of switching off (e.g., receiving visitors at work, running personal errands) are less frequent. The phenomenon is positively associated with procrastination and flexible work arrangements and negatively with organisational commitment. On average, men, younger employees and individuals working in micro-organisations (up to 10 employees) or self-employed individuals show higher levels on non-work-related presenteeism.
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