'The Higher the Position, the Less Rest': 44% of Managers Must Handle Work Calls on Personal Smartphones During Holidays [Business Phone Survey 2026 / Cloud PBX MOT/TEL Report]
Valtec released a survey of 500 office workers regarding off-hours work contact. 44.4% of managers reported having to handle work calls on their personal phones during time off, revealing a significant gap compared to general employees. Valtec proposes ensuring the 'right to disconnect' through technical measures like number separation via its cloud PBX, MOT/TEL.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 16:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 08:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 08:46 (14 min after Collected)
Valtec Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo), provider of the cloud PBX 'MOT/TEL' which has been implemented by over 32,000 companies, conducted an internet survey of 500 office workers (aged 20s to 50s, male and female, nationwide) regarding the reality of work-related contact outside of working hours.
'The higher the position, the less rest'—a report on the labor risks faced by managers who are effectively forced to use personal smartphones as work terminals, and the measures companies need to take.
■ Survey Results
In this survey, 44.4% of managers responded that they 'had to respond to work calls on their personal mobile phones during off-hours or holidays,' which is 12 percentage points higher than general employees (32.7%). By age group, those in their 50s showed the highest value at 35.5%, highlighting the reality that the 'right to disconnect' becomes harder to protect as one's position and age increase.
■ Background on Why the 'Right to Disconnect' Does Not Reach Managers
The 44.4% figure for managers illustrates a structure where 'the right to disconnect becomes less protected the higher the position.' Managers often feel that they 'must respond' to urgent contact from subordinates or clients, making their private smartphones effectively serve as work devices.
In contrast, the figure for temporary and contract employees was low at 11.9%, as the clear definition of their work scope in contracts effectively guarantees their 'right to disconnect.' As this structure shows, the most effective measures include separating business and personal numbers through technical means and controlling incoming calls outside of business hours with automated responses.
Valtec's cloud PBX 'MOT/TEL' offers features that allow users to completely separate company numbers from private numbers on a single smartphone, and automatic call rejection functions linked to attendance management.
■ Cloud PBX 'MOT/TEL' to Secure the 'Right to Disconnect'
The cloud phone 'MOT/TEL' is a cloud-based business phone service usable on smartphones and PCs, boasting a cumulative total of over 32,000 corporate installations.
● Liberation from Coming to the Office for Phone Calls
Because 'simultaneous incoming calls' are possible on all employees' devices, it eliminates the inequality where the burden is concentrated on specific people in the office, and automates unnecessary call-handling tasks.
● Switching On/Off with Automated Responses and Schedule Management
Users can manage automated response messages and call rejection based on pre-set business hours and holidays. By creating an environment where phones do not ring at night or on holidays, employees are freed from out-of-work contact and encouraged to refresh their mind and body.
'The higher the position, the less rest'—a report on the labor risks faced by managers who are effectively forced to use personal smartphones as work terminals, and the measures companies need to take.
■ Survey Results
In this survey, 44.4% of managers responded that they 'had to respond to work calls on their personal mobile phones during off-hours or holidays,' which is 12 percentage points higher than general employees (32.7%). By age group, those in their 50s showed the highest value at 35.5%, highlighting the reality that the 'right to disconnect' becomes harder to protect as one's position and age increase.
■ Background on Why the 'Right to Disconnect' Does Not Reach Managers
The 44.4% figure for managers illustrates a structure where 'the right to disconnect becomes less protected the higher the position.' Managers often feel that they 'must respond' to urgent contact from subordinates or clients, making their private smartphones effectively serve as work devices.
In contrast, the figure for temporary and contract employees was low at 11.9%, as the clear definition of their work scope in contracts effectively guarantees their 'right to disconnect.' As this structure shows, the most effective measures include separating business and personal numbers through technical means and controlling incoming calls outside of business hours with automated responses.
Valtec's cloud PBX 'MOT/TEL' offers features that allow users to completely separate company numbers from private numbers on a single smartphone, and automatic call rejection functions linked to attendance management.
■ Cloud PBX 'MOT/TEL' to Secure the 'Right to Disconnect'
The cloud phone 'MOT/TEL' is a cloud-based business phone service usable on smartphones and PCs, boasting a cumulative total of over 32,000 corporate installations.
● Liberation from Coming to the Office for Phone Calls
Because 'simultaneous incoming calls' are possible on all employees' devices, it eliminates the inequality where the burden is concentrated on specific people in the office, and automates unnecessary call-handling tasks.
● Switching On/Off with Automated Responses and Schedule Management
Users can manage automated response messages and call rejection based on pre-set business hours and holidays. By creating an environment where phones do not ring at night or on holidays, employees are freed from out-of-work contact and encouraged to refresh their mind and body.
FAQ
Why do managers feel compelled to respond to work calls during holidays?
It stems from a sense of responsibility to handle urgent calls from subordinates or clients, and the lack of separation between work and personal devices.
How can cloud PBX help secure the 'right to disconnect'?
By using a business number on a smartphone and setting up automated responses or call rejection schedules for nights and holidays, work contact can be technologically blocked.
What trend did the survey show by age group?
Employees in their 50s showed the highest rate at 35.5%, indicating that the 'right to disconnect' is less protected as age and seniority increase.