7 Workplace Technostresses That Impact Work-Life Balance

Workplace stress is increasing among employees and impacting both physical and mental health and costing employers lost productivity, higher absenteeism, higher turnover, lower engagement levels, missed deadlines and low morale.

While there are a few other leading causes of stress at the workplace, some of the foremost IT use-induced technostresses that contribute to stress at work are:

1. Legacy systems – When computers are outdated, crash, require patches and don’t sync to other devices and databases for critical documents and communications, this causes annoying delays, reduced productivity, lost opportunity for innovation, and missed deadlines. Employees feel more agitated and un-motivated.
2. Techno-invasion, a term coined by the originators of the five “technostress” conditions, describes situations where employees can potentially be reached anywhere and anytime and feel the need to be constantly connected.  Not responding instantly to information feeds in real time, employees feel, would place them at a disadvantage. The perceived need to respond contributes to feeling anxious 24/7.
3. Multiple devices with different log-ins. Too many devices, screens and interfaces that do not fit with task workflows create additional workload, causing inefficiencies, considerable frustration, job dissatisfaction and stress.
4. Software that is complicated to use. Users can find the variety of applications and functions intimidating and difficult to understand, and consequently feel high levels of stress and are de-energized.
5. Continuing changes and upgrades due to short technology cycles. Time and effort spent learning and understanding how to use new applications and functions can be intimidating and difficult to understand and then become obsolete. Consequently, stress levels are higher and productivity and morale are lower.
6. Poor communications – Few opportunities for seamless social interaction, real-time document and project access and collaboration creates barriers to collaboration and contributes to lower productivity and missed deadlines.
7. Paradox of Choice+ – Too many options which leads to potential regret, no choice, dissatisfaction, or self-blame

What are Top Employers Doing to Manage Workplace Stress?

Implementing policy and infrastructure that accommodates employee Work-Life Balance

Source: Eastern Kentucky University’s online Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety program

Happier, Healthier, More Productive Employees

Employees who are empowered to create their own work-life balance and contribute to the cultural shape and growth of their company are happier, healthier, more engaged, driven and productive and less likely to change jobs.

Our technology solutions minimize technostresses and contribute to enabling Work-Life Balance.

To learn more about how stress at work is impacting companies, view the infographic.