Because companies now operate across time zones, many employees are expected to respond to messages and calls at any hour. I agree that this trend is harmful for individuals, although it has some benefits.
The most important problem is constant pressure. Workers who must check their email late at night or join video meetings at dawn find it hard to switch off, which leads to stress and eventually burnout. Sleep is also disturbed; staff working with colleagues in another continent may have to attend meetings in the middle of the night, and lack of sleep damages health and concentration. In addition, work increasingly spills into family time. A parent who answers messages during dinner or at weekends is physically present but mentally elsewhere, and relationships can suffer as a result.
It is fair to say that around-the-clock business has some advantages. Flexible shifts can suit certain people, such as students, parents with young children or those who are naturally more alert in the evening, and companies may offer higher pay for unsocial hours. Global operations also create jobs, for example in call centres and logistics, in countries where employment is scarce. Some people enjoy the variety and sense of being part of an international team.
However, these advantages apply mainly to those who choose their schedule freely, whereas many workers are simply expected to be available. Clear limits are therefore necessary. Employers should set fixed hours for contact, rotate night shifts fairly and give time off in return, and some countries, like France, have even introduced a legal right to disconnect.
In conclusion, round-the-clock availability can create opportunities, but for most individuals it brings stress, poor sleep and less time with family, so I largely agree that it is bad for them.