World Mental Health Day 2026: Is It Time To Switch Off After Work?

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The laptop is shut and dinner is done. Then the phone buzzes with a message from work, and the reply is out before the thought is finished.

For many employees, that reflex has become a measure of worth. Respond fast, take on more and stay reachable, and you are a good employee. Miss a call or say no, and the guilt creeps in.

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As World Mental Health Day arrives on Saturday, 10 October, the question deserves a closer look: are we mistaking being a good employee for being always available?

Kruti Sharma, Compliance & Legal Consultant, Certified POSH, AML/CFT & DPDP Act Expert and Leadership Coach, argues that availability and commitment are not the same thing, and that the cost of confusing them reaches well beyond the individual.

When "Always On" Becomes The Definition Of Good

Sharma says the workplace has quietly redefined what a good employee looks like. It is now someone who, in her words, responds quickly, accepts additional responsibilities and is available around the clock.

"Those who respond quickly, accept additional responsibilities, and are available 24/7 whenever the team requires support."

The pressure does not stop when the working day does. Many employees feel guilty about a missed call, a delayed reply or a refusal, even after finishing their hours. They worry about appearing uncommitted or losing opportunities. Sharma's point is that the worry rests on a false equation.

"Being constantly available may not mean being productive or dedicated," she said.

The Pressure To Prove Your Worth

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Saying yes to every request feels like proof of reliability, Sharma explains. Setting a boundary, on the other hand, can feel like a risk to how managers judge performance.

The result is a quiet overload. Employees, she said, "can accept more work than they can manage, and this can take a toll on their peace of mind."

How Constant Availability Wears You Down

Messages, emails and calls often keep arriving after office hours, and switching off is harder than it sounds.

"Even when employees are not actively working, they may constantly check notifications or keep thinking about the pending tasks," Sharma said.

That, she added, can eat into relaxation, sleep and time with family, and leave people stressed, worried and unable to rest.

The wider evidence points the same way. The World Health Organization's definition of burnout describes a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, marked by exhaustion, growing mental distance from the job and reduced professional efficacy. Separately, a WHO and ILO analysis in Environment International found that working 55 or more hours a week is associated with an estimated 35 per cent higher risk of stroke and a 17 per cent higher risk of dying from ischaemic heart disease, compared with 35 to 40 hours. That study looked at long working hours, not after-hours messaging, but it shows what work without an end point can cost.

Busy Is Not The Same As Productive

Replying to every message instantly and stacking up assignments can leave people overwhelmed, Sharma explains. Repeated interruptions also make it harder to concentrate on the work that matters.

"Productivity will depend on prioritising work, concentration, and completing responsibilities on time, instead of just being available even after working hours."

Boundaries As A Work Tool, Not A Weakness

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Healthy boundaries, in Sharma's view, improve the work itself. Talking openly about workload, clarifying deadlines and agreeing priorities with managers can head off unnecessary stress.

She suggests employees:

• Set clear working hours.
• Avoid non-urgent notifications after work.
• Make time to rest.
• When extra work comes in, explain their existing commitments and ask which task should take priority.

And the guilt? Sharma is direct about that. "They should not feel guilty or incompetent at all."

The Compliance Cost Nobody Counts

Sharma, who works in compliance, says an always-available culture also carries a cost for organisations. Compliance teams in banks and NBFCs who are stretched thin outside working hours, she explained, are more likely to miss time-bound obligations such as suspicious transaction reporting deadlines. HR teams firefighting after-hours requests, she added, can delay escalating workplace harassment complaints to the Internal Committee within the legally mandated timelines.

"A clear right to disconnect policy protects not just employee wellbeing but also an organisation's own compliance record."

Bottomline

Being a good employee, Sharma says, is not about being reachable around the clock. It is about the quality of the work, accountability, teamwork and delivering on responsibilities on time. "Healthy boundaries are not a sign of laziness or lack of ambition; they help employees protect their mental health."

If constant work stress is affecting your sleep, mood or relationships, speaking to a mental health professional can help.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.