Taking time off from the workplace, smart phones and the computer may seem like a way to be unproductive, but in fact, having predictable time off helps employees be more happy and productive in the long run, says a thebuildnetwork.com article.

In today’s tough economy, people are working harder, longer hours to get ahead, resulting in less of a work-life balance and more of a stressed, pressure-filled lifestyle. In an article for the Harvard Business Review, researchers showed in a 2008 survey that 94% of professional services employees work at least 50 hours per week, not including the 20 to 25 hours outside of office, yet still plugged into phones.

One of the researchers from that study implemented a change, requiring members on some teams to take one pre-planned night off per week with no computers, voice mail, no work, period. Labeled “predictable time off,” the initiative made a huge difference.

“Compared with teams that did not take PTO, those who did were more excited to start work in the morning and more satisfied with both their jobs and their work-life balance,” the article stated. “Employees involved in the program said they were more likely to stay with the firm long-term and to perceive themselves as providing value to clients.”

Therefore, in taking only one night a week of predictable time off, less can be more. And, a happy worker can be a more long-term, productive part of the team.