If a student is frequently bombarded with emails from classmates while studying for exams, their learning efficiency will decrease. Of course, close friends limit their email exchanges with each other. A similar concept is now being discussed regarding work-related communications outside of working hours, in the form of the “right to disconnect.” This “right to disconnect” is also being considered in discussions about amending the Labor Standards Act. The “right to disconnect” means that employees are not obligated to respond to work-related communications outside of working hours. In Japan, labor unions are proposing this legislation, and progress is being made in establishing rules through cooperation between the government, labor, and management. In countries like Portugal and Australia, laws blocking company communications outside of working hours—so-called “right to disconnect laws”—are in effect. According to one survey, 60% of full-time employees feel aversion to work-related communications outside of working hours.
A tragedy occurs when a student, concentrating on their studies and achieving high efficiency, is interrupted by an email from a classmate. It takes a great deal of energy to regain focus and efficiency after the interruption. Whether for work or play, starting anything requires initial effort, which we call “activating energy.” In physics, this energy is the initial energy needed to initiate a reaction. To rekindle lost focus, you need this activating energy. The phenomenon that interruptions immediately disrupt work efficiency is called the “sawtooth effect.” For example, just as you’re getting into a good rhythm, you answer a phone call. Unfortunately, this means you have to start again before you’ve hit your stride. This is a waste of activating energy. To maximize productivity, uninterrupted time is crucial.
The morning is an ideal time for efficient work. Avoid scheduling phone calls or meetings during this time. Some might argue this is impossible. However, leaving this unchecked will decrease work efficiency and, in the long run, result in company losses. A second-best solution is to dedicate two hours to focused work. Two people can work together as partners, with one person concentrating on productive work for two hours while the other handles phone calls. An increasing number of companies are already refusing to connect calls to critical departments. It seems that efforts to combat time theft are progressing at both the individual and company levels. And it is on this trajectory that the “right to disconnect” is emerging.
