Journal of Global Economics, Management and Business Research

In Nigerian workplaces today, digital tools have created a culture where employees are                   expected to remain connected even outside normal working hours. While this “always-on”                 culture supports faster communication and responsiveness, it also raises concerns about                         its impact on employee well-being. This study examines the relationship between                      always-on work culture and employees’ stress, burnout, and work-life balance among Nigerian professionals.

A quantitative and cross-sectional survey design was adopted by using structured questionnaires administered to 385 professionals across the banking, information technology, and consulting sectors. Standardized scales including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS), and the Work-Life Balance Scale were employed for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings revealed that always-on work culture significantly increases stress (β = 0.672, p < 0.001) and burnout (β = 0.648, p < 0.001), while negatively affecting work-life balance (β = -0.591, p < 0.001). The study posits that while digital connectivity improves workplace efficiency, its psychological effects are substantial when there no boundaries. It recommends that organizations adopt a digital policy in terms of employee well-being and promote structured downtime to safeguard employee mental health and    productivity.