The Debate: Should workers be entitled to 'digital downtime'?

Would periods of ‘digital silence’ in the working week help make workers more productive? Two writers weigh up the pros and cons in this week’s debate

YES: Our always-on culture harms productivity

The UK’s productivity puzzle has long been a sticking point for government and business alike. While the solutions are complex, one straightforward measure employers can take is to give workers greater freedom to switch off.

I was reminded of this recently after a two-week (mostly) gadget-free holiday. I came back feeling sharper, more focused and ready to deliver. That sense of renewed productivity shouldn’t only be possible once or twice a year. Our research shows more than a third of UK workers (36 per cent) want formally scheduled “digital silence” in their workplace – dedicated time fr