A recent study has revealed that workers are suffering from both mental and physical strain from technology due to being “hyperconnected” to digital tools, making it increasingly challenging for them to disconnect from their jobs.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham’s Schools of Psychology and Medicine conducted in-depth interviews with employees from various fields. They discovered that the mental and emotional effort required to maintain constant connectivity and the rapid pace of the digital working environment negatively impacts employee well-being. These findings have been published today in Frontiers in Organizational Psychology.
This publication concludes a research project that investigates the negative consequences of digital work environments, which include stress, overload, anxiety, and fear of missing out. A consistent theme throughout the research is the “intensity of digital workplace technology” stemming from high job demands in these environments.
The results indicate that many participants felt a burden related to digital work, highlighting experiences of overload and being overwhelmed by the abundance of messages, communication tools, and meetings. Additionally, the stress of potentially missing crucial information and the need to stay connected with colleagues added to the pressure for digital workers, along with the frustrations faced while using technological tools.
Elizabeth Marsh, a PhD student supported by the ESRC from the School of Psychology, who led the qualitative study, remarked: “Digital workplaces offer advantages for both organizations and employees, such as enabling collaborative and flexible work. However, our research has uncovered a possible downside to this digital paradigm, where employees endure fatigue and strain due to the demands and intensity of the digital work space. The expectation to remain constantly engaged and to keep up with communications complicates the ability to mentally disconnect from work.”
Fourteen employees were comprehensively interviewed regarding their thoughts and experiences concerning digital job demands and their effects on health. The researchers examined various psychological, technological, and organizational factors that might impact how employees perceive the demands of their digital work.
Interviewees noted that their challenging experiences were largely influenced by a relentless state of connectivity in the digital workplace, referred to as “hyperconnectivity.” This contributed to an ongoing pressure to be accessible and blurred the lines between work and personal life. The evidence suggests that this hyperconnectivity has become commonplace among employees in the wake of the pandemic.
Here’s what some interviewees said:
“It’s much harder to distance yourself from work when everything is online and accessible at any time of day or night.”
“You feel like you need to be available constantly. It’s like you have to be a little green light.”
“It’s that urgency to respond… I get an email, and I feel I need to reply quickly so people don’t wonder what I’m doing from home.”
Elizabeth further stated: “These findings emphasize the importance for both researchers and professionals to recognize, comprehend, and alleviate the demands of digital work environments to safeguard the well-being of employees.”
The research provides practical recommendations for employers, such as helping employees enhance their digital skills and empowering them to set boundaries in the digital workspace. Additionally, the findings can help technology teams improve the usability and accessibility of digital tools and consider reducing the number of applications in use. Recognizing employees’ needs and preferences concerning digital work is essential in this process.
Dr. Alexa Spence, a Professor of Psychology, commented: “This study broadens the Job Demands-Resources framework by clarifying the demands of digital work, particularly hyperconnectivity and overload. It introduces the concept of digital workplace technology intensity, offering new perspectives on the causes of technostress in modern work settings. This highlights the potential mental and physical health impacts linked to digital work.”
This research was supported by the ESRC-MGS (Economic and Social Research Council – Midland Graduate School).
