Technostress explained: What it is and how to avoid it

What causes technostress?

Technostress is caused by the increasing demand for digital technologies and the ever-evolving tech landscape. There are additional causes for technostress.

Always on culture

The term 'always on' describes an expectation that employees be constantly available and connected through digital devices, whether they are in the office or at home. With modern technology connecting us more than ever before, and employees working across multiple devices, including personal mobile phones, there is a mounting pressure to always be reachable.

With the expectation to check emails regularly and be constantly connected, it is difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and employees are likely to experience technostress.

Lack of training and digital fluency

According to the National Skills Coalition, 92% of jobs require digital skills, despite a third of workers having low or no digital skills. This represents a real skills gap. With new technologies such as AI tools, advanced collaboration software and cloud computing being rolled out in businesses across the world, employees who are not comfortable with new technology, and who have not been trained adequately, are likely to feel overwhelmed.

Equally, without proper training and the skills to navigate new technology, employees are left to train themselves. This can waste time and negatively affect productivity, contributing to employee stress.

Technology overload and the rapid introduction of new tech

When new technology is piled on top of other new technology (for example, communication tools such as Slack and Teams, and AI software), it's common for employees to experience mental fatigue. Research by Quantum Workplace revealed that active AI users have 45% higher burnout rates.

Similarly, AI fatigue is becoming more common in the workplace as employees experience mental exhaustion at the rate of AI adoption. Modern businesses must keep up with new technology to stay innovative and competitive. However, it's important that business leaders choose to implement technology rollouts wisely and keep employee experience at the center of decision-making, for example, with slower rollouts led by employee feedback and with increased training.

The effect of technostress on the business

Technostress can be significant for the business, affecting employee experience and retention, as well as overall organizational efficiency. Other impacts of technostress on the business include the following:

• Decline in engagement with cybersecurity measures. According to a study by CybSafe, 54% of office workers ignore important cybersecurity alerts due to information overload. Meanwhile, 47% of employees admit that information overload impacts their ability to identify threats. Technostress and the constant noise that comes from using too much technology across numerous devices can leave employees feeling too overwhelmed to engage with important cybersecurity measures.
• Higher costs. Technostress, burnout and employee dissatisfaction can lead to absenteeism, turnover and reduced productivity, which costs businesses. According to Workplace Options, unplanned absenteeism is estimated to exceed $600 billion per year.
• Increased turnover. Technostress contributes to high levels of burnout and feelings of being overwhelmed, which can lead to higher rates of employee turnover. Employees who feel dissatisfied and frustrated at work are more likely to seek new job opportunities. A study by the American Psychological Association revealed that 23% of workers desire to quit their jobs due to stress.
• Reduced productivity. When employees feel overwhelmed and unable to focus due to excessive technology in the workplace, productivity suffers. This can lead to feeling removed and isolated from the organization.
• Resistance to technological advancements. For technology adoption to be worthwhile, employers need their employees to embrace change and help drive innovation. However, if employees feel drained and excluded from the conversation around new technology, they are more likely to be resistant to using it, which can reduce the ROI on tech investments.

Strategies to combat digital burnout and technostress

A 2024 Gallup survey revealed that 42% of employee turnover is preventable but often ignored. By addressing issues like technostress, employers can help to prevent turnover and create a positive culture where technological advancements are encouraged without negatively impacting employee experience.

• Encourage work-life balance. Though technology connects the business across offices and different locations, it is important to encourage employees to take regular breaks and avoid working outside of work hours. By establishing clear boundaries, employees benefit from the innovation provided by new technology, without it becoming a strain on their lives outside of work.
• Provide comprehensive training. When rolling out new technology, ensure that the business has set aside time to run demos and training sessions and receive feedback on new technology and tools.
• Simplify technology. Speak with employees and run internal surveys to address where technology might be hindering productivity instead of benefiting it. Identifying the technology that creates frustration and eliminating it leaves room for the tools that make a positive difference to the way the business operates.

Rosa Heaton is a content manager for the Learning Content group at Informa TechTarget.