59.3% of Part-Time Workers Experience Off-Hours Work Communication, Approximately 80% Feel Stressed
iRidge, Inc. and DIP Corporation conducted a survey targeting 398 users of the part-time job information service "Baitoru," revealing that 78.4% of part-time workers who receive off-hours work communication feel stressed, and 54.7% have considered quitting due to it. This highlights a "vicious cycle of apologies" in workplaces, where managers feel compelled to contact staff off-hours via private SNS, and staff feel pressured to respond quickly, leading to psychological burdens and calls for "the right to disconnect" amid labor law reforms.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 15:54 (5h 22m after Collected)
iRidge, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Kentaro Oda; Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth: 3917; hereinafter "iRidge") and DIP Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hideki Tomita; hereinafter "DIP") conducted a "Survey on the Actual State of Work Communication Outside Working Hours for Part-Time Workers" (hereinafter "this survey") targeting 398 users of the part-time job information service "Baitoru."
The results of this survey revealed that approximately 80% (78.4%)* of part-time employees who receive work communication outside working hours feel stressed, and furthermore, about 1 in 2 (54.7%)* of part-time employees who receive communication outside working hours have actually considered quitting due to it.
*Calculated based on the group receiving work communication outside working hours (n=236 people).
Background of This Survey: The "Vicious Cycle of Apologies" Happening on the Ground
① Psychological Burden Created by Good Intentions
In the field of store operations, when there is a sudden staff shortage or shift adjustment, store managers are in a situation where they feel bad for contacting staff on their days off but have no choice but to do so via private SNS. On the other hand, employees who receive the contact also feel, "I have to reply quickly or I'll feel bad," resulting in a "vicious cycle of apologies" where both parties become mentally exhausted.
② "Right to Disconnect" Gaining Attention with Legal Reforms and the Dilemma on the Ground
Amid discussions toward amendments to the Labor Standards Act, the establishment of operational guidelines for "the right to disconnect," which frees employees from being tied to work communication outside working hours, is being recommended. However, in store operations, due to the convenience of private SNS, urgent shift adjustments and other communications tend to occur outside working hours, making it urgent to establish rules and mechanisms that allow both managers and employees to communicate without stress.
③ Environmental Improvement to Be Reviewed "Now" as New Lifestyles Begin
April is a season when the part-time labor market becomes active annually, accompanying the start of new lifestyles such as school enrollment and employment. During this period, when many stores welcome new staff, creating an environment that prevents early turnover of newly hired part-time employees and encourages them to continue working with motivation becomes even more important.
Survey Digest
① "Off-hours Communication" as a Trigger for Turnover
54.7% of part-time employees who receive communication outside working hours responded that they have considered quitting their part-time job directly because of off-hours communication.
② Communication from Store Managers as the Biggest Stressor
It was found that 78.4% feel stressed by communication from store managers, who are the most frequent source of contact.
③ "Private SNS" Creates Psychological Pressure
The specific causes of stress are primarily "mental burden of considering reply content (50.8%)" and "urgency to reply quickly (41.7%)."
④ Dedicated Communication Tools as a Deciding Factor for Employment
Approximately half, 49.2%, evaluate the introduction of a dedicated chat tool that does not use private SNS as a deciding factor for applying or a source of reassurance.
Survey Details
1. "Potential Turnover Risk" Triggered by Off-Hours Communication
More than half, 54.7%, of part-time employees who receive communication outside working hours responded that they have considered quitting for that reason. The correlation with communication frequency is particularly significant, with 61.3% of those who receive contact almost daily considering leaving. This indicates that the risk of turnover more than doubles compared to "those who receive no contact at all (26.5% turnover intention)." From this data, it is believed that controlling off-hours communication affects retention rates.
2. "Psychological Burden" Amplified by Content and Sender
The most frequent source of contact is "store managers, etc. (resident full-time employees)," but 78.4% of part-time employees feel stressed by this communication.
In particular, when content requiring responsibility and immediate response, such as "confirmation of complaints or errors (90.6%)" and "request for urgent shift substitution (82.1%)," arrives via private SNS, it creates strong psychological pressure. This is not a problem of individual communication by store managers but rather a problem with the system that forces important business communications to be conducted via private SNS.
3. "Waiting State" Where the Mind Cannot Rest Even on Days Off
The true nature of the burden felt by part-time employees is a psychological "waiting state" where work issues never leave their minds, even during private time, beyond physical confinement hours. The use of private SNS for work reveals that part-time employees are exhausted by being constantly tied to workplace relationships and responsibilities even in their private spaces.
4. Environment Respecting "the Right to Disconnect" as a Condition for Selection
Labor Standards
The results of this survey revealed that approximately 80% (78.4%)* of part-time employees who receive work communication outside working hours feel stressed, and furthermore, about 1 in 2 (54.7%)* of part-time employees who receive communication outside working hours have actually considered quitting due to it.
*Calculated based on the group receiving work communication outside working hours (n=236 people).
Background of This Survey: The "Vicious Cycle of Apologies" Happening on the Ground
① Psychological Burden Created by Good Intentions
In the field of store operations, when there is a sudden staff shortage or shift adjustment, store managers are in a situation where they feel bad for contacting staff on their days off but have no choice but to do so via private SNS. On the other hand, employees who receive the contact also feel, "I have to reply quickly or I'll feel bad," resulting in a "vicious cycle of apologies" where both parties become mentally exhausted.
② "Right to Disconnect" Gaining Attention with Legal Reforms and the Dilemma on the Ground
Amid discussions toward amendments to the Labor Standards Act, the establishment of operational guidelines for "the right to disconnect," which frees employees from being tied to work communication outside working hours, is being recommended. However, in store operations, due to the convenience of private SNS, urgent shift adjustments and other communications tend to occur outside working hours, making it urgent to establish rules and mechanisms that allow both managers and employees to communicate without stress.
③ Environmental Improvement to Be Reviewed "Now" as New Lifestyles Begin
April is a season when the part-time labor market becomes active annually, accompanying the start of new lifestyles such as school enrollment and employment. During this period, when many stores welcome new staff, creating an environment that prevents early turnover of newly hired part-time employees and encourages them to continue working with motivation becomes even more important.
Survey Digest
① "Off-hours Communication" as a Trigger for Turnover
54.7% of part-time employees who receive communication outside working hours responded that they have considered quitting their part-time job directly because of off-hours communication.
② Communication from Store Managers as the Biggest Stressor
It was found that 78.4% feel stressed by communication from store managers, who are the most frequent source of contact.
③ "Private SNS" Creates Psychological Pressure
The specific causes of stress are primarily "mental burden of considering reply content (50.8%)" and "urgency to reply quickly (41.7%)."
④ Dedicated Communication Tools as a Deciding Factor for Employment
Approximately half, 49.2%, evaluate the introduction of a dedicated chat tool that does not use private SNS as a deciding factor for applying or a source of reassurance.
Survey Details
1. "Potential Turnover Risk" Triggered by Off-Hours Communication
More than half, 54.7%, of part-time employees who receive communication outside working hours responded that they have considered quitting for that reason. The correlation with communication frequency is particularly significant, with 61.3% of those who receive contact almost daily considering leaving. This indicates that the risk of turnover more than doubles compared to "those who receive no contact at all (26.5% turnover intention)." From this data, it is believed that controlling off-hours communication affects retention rates.
2. "Psychological Burden" Amplified by Content and Sender
The most frequent source of contact is "store managers, etc. (resident full-time employees)," but 78.4% of part-time employees feel stressed by this communication.
In particular, when content requiring responsibility and immediate response, such as "confirmation of complaints or errors (90.6%)" and "request for urgent shift substitution (82.1%)," arrives via private SNS, it creates strong psychological pressure. This is not a problem of individual communication by store managers but rather a problem with the system that forces important business communications to be conducted via private SNS.
3. "Waiting State" Where the Mind Cannot Rest Even on Days Off
The true nature of the burden felt by part-time employees is a psychological "waiting state" where work issues never leave their minds, even during private time, beyond physical confinement hours. The use of private SNS for work reveals that part-time employees are exhausted by being constantly tied to workplace relationships and responsibilities even in their private spaces.
4. Environment Respecting "the Right to Disconnect" as a Condition for Selection
Labor Standards