- January 20, 2025
But the current literature on technostress (Tarafdar et al., 2019, Khedhaouria and Cucchi, 2019, Korzynski et al., 2020, Yener et al., 2020) has offered little in terms of comparative assessment of these two different types of technostress. Drawing on theoretical lenses of the stressor-strain-outcome (Ragu-Nathan et al., 2008) and resource-experiences-demands models (Salanova et al., 2011), we address this research gap by merging the two parallel but related streams of research on technostress. We argue that this approach warrants significant attention during the COVID-19-induced crisis period, due to enforced work-from-home practices and the blurred boundary between personal and work settings it has created.
She has guest edited special issues in leading journals and contributed with research-led chapters in books. She also serves as consultant for social businesses, charity organisations and not for profit organisations. "When it makes sense, particularly if it's a large meeting where your input will be less frequent or nonexistent, you might opt to turn your video off from time to reduce Zoom fatigue," he advised.
5, resilience negatively moderates the impact of remote work experience before COVID-19 on subjective wellbeing, thus supporting H9. As such, many individuals were obligated to learn in a short period of time a new way of working, which has created difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance (Carnevale & Hatak, 2020). The intrusiveness and technological complexity of digital platforms has led to changes in the nature, pattern, and duration of work, which have increased uncertainties and challenged individuals’ capabilities and competencies (Carnevale & Hatak, 2020). Moreover, the pandemic has induced a growth in technology use not only for work-related purposes but also for entertainment, information seeking, and social interaction (Elia et al., 2021). Consequently, people have relied heavily on technology-mediated social communications (e.g., social media platforms) and entertainments during the pandemic.
Companies that implement such policies not only foster healthier workplace environments but also witness a significant return on investment, with estimates suggesting that productivity gains can surpass the costs of implementing flexible scheduling by over 200%. And, as some studies have shown, remote workers harbor these feelings at a slightly higher percentage than those working in a regular office setting. It is crucial for individuals to recognize the signs of remote work burnout and take steps to prevent it from becoming a chronic issue. Strategies such as setting boundaries, prioritizing social interaction, managing workload, establishing a routine, and taking regular breaks can help individuals overcome remote work burnout and maintain their well-being while working remotely.
Effective communication, regular check-ins, and the promotion of work-life balance are crucial strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of labor fatigue in a remote environment. Quality of working conditions (Mihalca et al., 2021) and perceived increased workload led to unsatisfactory professional self-esteem, psychological distress, chronic emotional and workplace stress, and high turnover. Challenges and hindrance stressors negatively affected employee wellbeing and adjustment to remote work due to the ongoing work demands (Nemţeanu and Dabija, 2021), unclear job instructions (Bernardelli et al., 2021), and work–life conflict. Simultaneously, there has been an uptake of digital platform use for personal purposes. The excessive use of technology for both work and personal activities may cause technostress. Despite the growing interest in technostress, there is a paucity of research on the effects of work and personal technology use in tandem, particularly during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizations remote work fatigue facing similar issues should consider adopting micro-initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being. Encouraging employees to share their challenges and solutions in virtual forums can also cultivate empathy and understanding, ultimately reducing fatigue and enhancing productivity in a remote setting. Moreover, strategies for management systems should be rooted in data-driven insights and employee feedback.
Employees that report they can get all the information they need in one spot so that they can get on with their day are happier, more productive, and less prone to mental fatigue. It is necessary to review thematurity and critical awareness of the exposure of workers to the immediacy and toexamine suggestive surveillance tools such as telepressure via control devices incontexts of overload. The data extraction process was carried out by the researcher using a MicrosoftExcel file detailing the author, year of publication, type of study and journal,design and sample size, prevalence of mental fatigue and burnout, andrecommendations to the job.
It may take a few meetings to get the cadence, but attendees will appreciate getting more time back on their schedule. But unless you are a television personality, it turns out being online constantly is exhausting. Psychologists suggest that Zoom fatigue may come from the intensity of being hyper-focused while attempting to constantly process non-verbal communication from other meeting attendees. What started as “work from home” evolved into “work from anywhere.” Places like Aruba tempted remote workers with no visa fees and stunning beach views. Cities such as Tulsa, Oklahoma, offered as much as $10,000 for remote workers to relocate. To improve time management, you can create your own time management strategy by following our guide.
This study thus contributes to the overall research stream of remote working and technostress by establishing that the effect of remote working environment and experience on technostress is not homogenous, as the context should be deeply considered. And although work-related stress is strongly connected with reduced wellbeing, its impact on employees’ subjective wellbeing has not received adequate research attention (Carayon et al., 1999, Sonnentag and Frese, 2013). While excessive use of IT has been found to negatively affect employees’ job satisfaction (Tarafdar et al., 2015), an indicator of wellbeing, this research further identifies the positive impact of WTPS on techno-exhaustion, which leads to decreased subjective wellbeing.
When you proactively manage your time and recognize the factors influencing your productivity, you're reclaiming your personal space, leading to a healthier work-life balance even in a remote setting. Not only can this fatigue affect employee productivity but also it can have serious mental health ramifications. It’s important that employers look for ways to alleviate any negative feelings surrounding the remote work environment, both for the health of their teams and the wellbeing of their companies. The key psychological task for most people during the pandemic has been to minimise their level of stress/ distress (Chen & Bonanno, 2020).
The findings highlight how both work and personal digital platforms induce technostress during the enforced remote work period, which in turn increases psychological strains such as technology exhaustion and decreases subjective wellbeing. Study results also show that employees with previous remote working experience could better negotiate technostress, whereas those with high resilience experience decreased wellbeing in the presence of technostress-induced technology exhaustion in the enforced remote work context. Meanwhile, Buffer, a fully remote company, encountered the common challenge of work-life balance. Many employees struggled to delineate professional and personal time, leading to burnout. According to their research, 18% of remote workers reported working longer hours than before. Buffer responded by introducing a culture of "no meetings" Fridays, allowing employees to focus on their tasks without distractions.
It helps organizations assess the workplace atmosphere by gathering insights directly from employees. By understanding the collective sentiment within a team, companies can tailor their support efforts, ensuring that remote workers feel connected and valued. Imagine being part of a community that not only thrives on collaboration but also continually refines its support mechanisms! When you foster an environment where everyone feels heard and supported, the risk of remote work fatigue diminishes, allowing individuals to reclaim their personal space and well-being. Have you ever found yourself staring blankly at your computer screen, realizing you've been working for hours without a break? It's a common scenario, especially for remote workers, and surprisingly, studies show that nearly 50% of remote employees report feeling fatigued due to poor time management.