Facilitating Detachment From Work: A Systematic Review, Evidence-Based Recommendations, and Guide for Future Research

Abstract

Contemporary work environments are characterized by increasing job demands, extensive use of communication technologies, blurred boundaries between work and private lives, and growing uncertainty. Under these stressful conditions, employee health and well-being are among the central topics studied by organizational researchers. Extant research has shown that psychological detachment from work is a key recovery experience that is essential for employees’ health, well-being, and work performance. This systematic qualitative review aims to advance our understanding of what facilitates or inhibits detachment. We review 159 empirical studies and evaluate the accumulated knowledge on predictors of detachment. Further, we offer actionable recommendations for organizational practitioners on how to facilitate this vital recovery experience in their organizations and highlight important avenues for future research aimed at improving our understanding of employee detachment.