In the era of constant digitisation and the implementation of innovative technological solutions, more and more employees are experiencing a phenomenon that was almost unknown a decade ago – technostress. It is a complex psychological reaction to new technologies, characterised by, among other things, information overload, anxiety about the workplace, fear of change or constant availability. Users feel lost in the jungle of digital tools that were supposed to simplify work but often complicate it.
The report "Technostress in the Digital Age: Challenges and Solutions for Modern Organisations", initiated by EY Academy of Business Polska in cooperation with a team of scientists and practitioners, including dr hab. Artur Modliński, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Head of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Cybercommunication Research at the Faculty of Management, University of Lodz, is a response to these phenomena.
According to the research conducted for the needs of the report, as many as 73% of respondents constantly check their work e-mail outside of working hours, and over 34% do so several times a day. Interestingly, employees operating in a hybrid model – often perceived as the most flexible – show the highest level of technostress compared to those working exclusively remotely or on-site. The report also states that over half of employees feel the need to participate in training that would help them cope with technological challenges. Unfortunately, only one in ten people gain knowledge using tools based on new technologies.
Moreover, the study found that as many as 54.8% of respondents feel that technology is becoming increasingly invasive in their daily lives, and 26.8% admit that technology is “very much” disrupting their work-life balance. Over 46% of employees regularly experience technological changes in their organisations, with 25.3% considering these changes to be very intense. At the same time, although 60% of respondents declare their willingness to participate in training to reduce stress related to new technologies, as many as 45% have not participated in any form of technology-related learning in the last six months.
Technostress is not just a trendy concept. It is a real phenomenon that affects the efficiency, motivation and well-being of employees. We need tools, strategies and, above all, awareness – and that is why this report has been created. This is a document about people, not just technology – about the boundaries that are too often crossed. We work more, faster and disconnect from the digital world less often. However, the work of the future cannot come at the expense of mental health
– says dr hab. Artur Modliński, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz.
The report emphasises that technostress is not just a “user problem,” but the result of a systemic lack of preparation for digital transformation in organisations. The more tasks performed outside of working hours, the higher the level of technostress. What’s more, people working in a hybrid form (50% remotely, 50% on-site) have significantly higher levels of technological stress than employees who can choose only one mode of work.
The report also shows that employees want to develop, but often do so outside of working hours, which only deepens the overload. There is a lack of formal development programmes implemented as part of the working day and support for managers in adapting to new tools. The recommendations included in the report are clear: organisations must actively counteract the phenomenon of technostress through digital hygiene, transparent access policy after working hours, implementing the "right to be offline" and designing technology training using modern tools. Leaders play a special role – they are responsible for the pace and quality of implementing innovations and for creating a space in which technology supports and does not overload.
The report also highlights the need to build employees’ mental resilience and develop soft skills that will allow them to better manage stress, communicate in the digital environment and regain control over technology – instead of letting it control them.
The full report is available on the EY Academy of Business website