What is Technostress?
Increasing use of technology and AI in the workplace means that managing technostress at work has become an increasingly important issue for workplace well-being. Technostress refers to the stress or psychological strain people experience when interacting with technology. It arises from the challenges individuals face in adapting to, using, and managing modern technologies. The concept of technostress was first introduced by Craig Brod in 1984, who described it as “a modern disease of adaptation caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies in a healthy manner”. It manifests as negative psychological, behavioural, and physiological responses to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) such as computers, smartphones, and other digital tools, especially in workplace environments.
Researchers have identified five key factors contributing to technostress including:
Techno-overload: Pressure to work faster and process more information due to technology.
Techno-invasion: The feeling of being always connected and unable to disconnect from work.
Techno-complexity: Stress from dealing with complex systems and the need for continuous learning.
Techno-insecurity: Fear of job loss to more technologically adept colleagues.
Techno-uncertainty: Stress from frequent technology updates and changes.
Case study:
Consider Carolyn, a 35-year-old marketing specialist who has experienced a significant technological shift in her daily work. The increasing integration of digital platforms at her advertising agency, while intended to enhance efficiency, has inadvertently introduced considerable stress. Carolyn now navigates a complex web of social media management, diverse software for project and customer relations, frequent virtual meetings, and constant instant messaging, all while adapting to ongoing system updates.
As a result, Carolyn is now showing various signs of technostress. A persistent sense of overwhelm and anxiety has settled in, driven by the need to master new technologies and the fear of making mistakes amid continuous digital demands. Her cognitive abilities have suffered, with mental fatigue and difficulties in maintaining focus becoming frequent due to the constant need to switch between applications and watch notifications. This mental fatigue also encroaches on her personal time, often affecting her sleep as work-related digital tasks occupy her mind. Additionally, Carolyn has observed an increase in irritability and frustration, where even trivial technical issues can provoke excessively negative responses. Physical symptoms have arisen too, such as frequent headaches, eye strain, and neck discomfort, all of which are linked to extended hours at the computer.
Understandably, Carolyn’s job satisfaction has also diminished. The focus on technological skills has overshadowed the creative elements of her position, leading to a loss of fulfilment. Ironically, despite the expectation of improved connectivity, Carolyn feels more isolated now, as face-to-face interactions have been supplanted by less personal digital communication, leaving her yearning for the collaborative environment she used to value.
Does any of Carolyn’s story feel familiar to you? If so, read on as I share with you insights into technostress and some practical ways for managing technostress at work to support well-being, engagement and performance.
What causes technostress?
Here’s some of the ways in which technostress affects us at work:
Information overload: A constant influx of information, notifications, and updates can result in feelings of overwhelm. The pressure to remain constantly connected and responsive can add to this sense of overload.
Constant change and instability: Rapid technological advancements can make it difficult for us to keep up with new software, devices, and platforms. Frequent updates and changes in technology can create a sense of unease, uncertainty, and instability. As we struggle to stay current, this exposure to ongoing micro-stressors can lead to increased stress and burnout.
Blurring of work/life boundaries: Constant connectivity has become a way of life, with many of us now having our work emails and collaboration tools on our phones. This means we are at risk of being contacted by our colleagues, even outside of working hours. As a result, the boundaries between work and personal life have become increasingly blurred. This blurring of boundaries caused by technology can result in feelings of intrusion and heighten the risk of burnout.
Complexity: Some forms of technology have become increasingly complex. Multi-factor logins are often required to access digital systems, and we are increasingly required to use more sophisticated digital tools. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration when faced with rapid technological changes or glitches.
Digital clutter: Many of us receive large volumes of junk or unsolicited emails which continuously need to be managed. And we’ve all had that feeling of dread when it comes time to declutter our overflowing email inboxes. Worse still if you manage to take time off work, you will inevitably return to a mountain of emails that can take days or even weeks to process.
Performance monitoring and surveillance: Technology enables employers to monitor employee performance more closely than ever before. This can create a sense of anxiety and pressure, as workers may feel constantly scrutinised. Additionally, remote workers are particularly at risk of feeling over-scrutinised, which can lead them to work even longer hours to overcompensate for not being seen in the office.
Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity concerns fuel technostress through the persistent fear of data breaches and identity theft, resulting in ongoing anxiety. The complexity of security measures, such as encryption and firewalls, and the constant vigilance against threats like phishing, require significant mental effort. In the workplace, we encounter increasing pressures to adhere to strict cybersecurity policies, alongside the fear of costly errors, which significantly heightens stress for employees, managers, and business owners.
Lack of technological skills: Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming the job market, resulting in a demand for new skills and a decrease in the need for others. Technology is constantly evolving, and new tools and platforms are emerging at an accelerated pace. This creates challenges for individuals trying to keep their skills current. Many lack access to sufficient training and upskilling opportunities.
Concerns about job security: Many workers are worried about their future due to concerns about job security due to automation and technological advancements such as AI. Many employees believe that automation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, will lead to the displacement of human workers. This fear is particularly prevalent in industries with repetitive or easily automated tasks. Employees may worry that their skills will become obsolete and that they will be unable to find new employment.
What are the consequences of technostress?
Left unchecked, technostress can lead to:
• Stress and anxiety
• Decreased job satisfaction
• Reduced productivity
• Higher rates of burnout
• Increased staff turnover
Overcoming technostress
Governments, businesses, and educational institutions need to invest in programs that provide individuals with the necessary technological skills. Organisations must address these concerns by providing employees with adequate training and support and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Efforts should be made to promote digital literacy among all members of society, particularly those in underserved communities.
Here are some specific actions that can address the challenges of technostress:
Establish clear boundaries: Define specific “tech-free” periods during the day and, importantly, before going to bed. Make it a habit to power down work devices outside of work hours and clearly communicate your limited availability after hours to colleagues and clients.
Optimise your digital workflow: Be intentional about how you use technology. Prioritise your digital tasks and group similar activities together for efficiency. Don’t hesitate to seek out training for new software or tools to reduce frustration. Leverage built-in focus features on your devices and applications to minimise distractions. Create your own systems and processes for managing things like emails, digital files, and tools. Some helpful strategies are dedicating time daily or weekly to declutter email inboxes, scheduling digital file management tasks, and opting out of unnecessary digital communications.
Prioritise digital well-being: Make a conscious effort to step away from screens regularly throughout the workday. Ensure your workspace is ergonomically sound to prevent physical discomfort associated with prolonged technology use. Incorporate mindfulness techniques, such as brief meditations or deep breathing exercises, to help manage stress.
Enhance human connection: When appropriate, choose face-to-face conversations or voice calls over written digital communication to foster stronger connections and reduce potential misunderstandings. Work with your team to establish clear and efficient communication norms that respect everyone’s time and focus.
Foster a supportive workplace culture: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by technology, don’t hesitate to discuss these feelings with your manager. Advocate for the implementation of company-wide initiatives that promote digital well-being and a healthier, more balanced work environment for everyone. Organizations can streamline and simplify digital systems wherever possible to reduce friction in user experience, including employees and users of digital systems. Clear policies and procedures also help bring clarity.
Embrace lifelong learning: Adopt a mindset of continuous learning to maintain relevant skills in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Companies must also take on the responsibility of upskilling employees through various activities. This could include in-house training, knowledge sharing, mentoring and shadowing, and external training. If you are self-employed, dedicate sufficient time and resources to keeping your digital skills up to date. Seek external support where necessary, e.g., with digital skills development, policy development, and support with digital systems and processes for efficiency and optimization.
Entrepreneurs/Self-employed
If you are self-employed, dedicate sufficient time and resources to keeping your digital skills up to date. Seek external support where necessary, e.g., with digital skills development, policy development, and support with digital systems and processes for efficiency and optimisation. Coaching and mentoring are other great resources to help you work through challenges and to develop effective strategies for managing technostress at work.
Summary
In today’s hyper-connected world, technostress has become a significant challenge, stemming from information overload, constant change, blurred work-life boundaries, and anxieties surrounding cybersecurity and job security. To combat this, individuals and organisations must prioritise digital literacy, continuous learning, and timely training programs. By fostering a culture of support and proactively addressing the root causes of technostress, we can mitigate its negative impacts, such as burnout and decreased productivity, and ensure everyone can navigate the digital age with confidence and well-being.
Lisa LaRue, MCareerDev, RCDP, MAC
Career & Executive Coach | Career Development Consultant | EMCC-Accredited Master Practitioner Coach (EIA) and Coach Supervisor (ESIA)and CDI-Registered Career Development Professional (RCDP) with over 20 years’ experience helping achieve successful and fulfilling careers. With a passion for human flourishing, Lisa is also a part-time doctoral researcher of flow, performance and well-being at work.
