What Is Technostress And Tips To Overcome It

The recent news about the death of Anna Sebastian, an employee at the multinational company Ernst & Young (EY), due to excessive workload, has made headlines.

Excessive stress caused by work, particularly in the technology sector, is known as technostress. This psychological strain is common among employees working in multinational companies and IT organisations. Many workers experience anxiety and mental stress as they struggle to keep pace with the ever-evolving technological landscape. There is also a persistent fear of job loss if they fail to master new advancements. The rise of remote work and hybrid models has also significantly impacted employees’ lives.

To help combat technostress, here are five essential ways employees can follow to alleviate it:

Accurate assessment: Conduct regular surveys among employees to gauge the stress they face. Open conversations and negotiations can also help managers understand the issues more clearly and pinpoint the specific problems affecting their teams.

Policies: Creating policies can help set boundaries to prevent technostress. Managers must engage with employees to develop guidelines that protect their well-being.

Training: Offering digital literacy training will empower employees to improve their technical skills and establish clear boundaries between work and personal life.

Leadership: Managers play a key role in fostering healthy digital communication within the organisation. By leading by example, using digital tools responsibly, encouraging transparency, and providing training, managers can set the tone for their teams.

Listening carefully: Research indicates that even top-performing employees are susceptible to severe technostress. Early identification of symptoms, regular evaluations, open communication, and employee feedback are crucial to mitigating its impact.

Excessive stress can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and poor sleep. For this reason, both managers and employees need to adopt these measures to protect their mental and physical well-being.