80% of Australian workers can't unplug despite right-to-disconnect laws

For HR professionals, the Insure&Go data is a flashing red alert: the right to disconnect may be on the books, but workplace culture still tethers employees to their phones. With 80% of staff unable to unplug and three-quarters coming back from leave drained, the very concept of 'restorative time off' is collapsing—right at the moment when burnout is a board-level issue.

A new survey from travel insurer Insure&Go has revealed a profound disconnect in how Australians take holidays: 80% admit they are unable to switch off from work, social media, or daily news while travelling, while 75% return from leave more exhausted than when they departed. The findings, released on June 25, 2026, paint a picture of a workforce and society chronically tethered to digital devices, undermining the restorative purpose of time off. Aaron Jarden, professor of wellbeing science at Edith Cowan University, described a collective longing for a slower pace of life that is being thwarted by the very tools that promise convenience. “Things are moving at such a pace that we’re not used to, and we’re struggling and getting stressed because of it,” Jarden told Explore. His commentary suggests that holidays have morphed into an extension of daily life rather than an escape from it, with smartphones simultaneously serving as holiday tools (navigation, currency conversion, communication) and relentless work tethers.

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With 80% of staff unable to unplug and three-quarters coming back from leave drained, the very concept of 'restorative time off' is collapsing—right at the moment when burnout is a board-level issue.

The survey highlights that fewer than one in five Australians fully disconnect on holiday, leaving a vast majority plugged into the digital grind. This constant connectivity is exacting a toll on mental and physical health. Insure&Go spokesperson Madhvi Mishra pointed to Victoria’s right-to-disconnect laws as evidence that legislation has a role but noted its limits: “If nearly a third of Australians feel pressured to check in with work while on holiday, it undermines the very purpose of taking a break.” That figure—nearly one-third checking in with work—underscores the cultural and systemic forces at play. Employers may not be explicitly demanding attention, yet a culture of availability persists, reinforced by smartphone-enabled expectations.

The implications ripple across multiple sectors. For employers and HR leaders, the data signals a looming burnout crisis: if three-quarters of staff return from leave more fatigued than before, the productivity gains from holiday time are lost, potentially increasing turnover and healthcare costs. The travel and tourism industry faces a paradox: people are taking holidays, but the benefit—a refreshed, happy customer—is not materializing, which could dampen repeat leisure travel and the experiential premium that many operators rely on. Meanwhile, the growing interest in “digital detox” holidays represents a market response, with travel companies now promoting tech-free retreats as a differentiator.