Checking your work email on vacation? The research shows the disturbing side of the digital workspace

With the development of technology, the way we work has undergone unprecedented changes. The digital workspace has undoubtedly become more convenient and accessible, but the hidden cost of a hyper-connected workspace means that in one’s mind one never leaves work. Every workspace is digital, whether on-site, hybrid or online. The University of Nottingham study, published in Frontiers in Organizational Psychology, delved deep into the dark side of digital work, its challenges and the mental pressures associated with working digitally all the time.

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Challenges of the digital workplace

Researchers have explored the implications of an interconnected digital workspace in detail and formulated some key concepts based on their observations and experiments. The first concept is digital workplace intensity (DWTI), which reflects the extreme strain of mental and emotional effort required to keep up with a hyper-connected work environment.

Employees fear they’ll miss important work-related updates now that they’re always connected via digital devices. If they don’t respond immediately, they fear what others will say – for example, an employee who works from home may worry that others will think, “What are they even doing at home?” This forces them to always be active and not miss anything. This indicates the prevalence of fear of missing out (FoMO) in this type of workplace. The mere thought of missing out on an important update keeps employees glued to their devices.

There is also information overload as they are seamlessly connected through digital tools and apps, and sometimes the bombardment of emails and messages feels overwhelming. This endless stream of emails, meetings, etc. also causes overwork, causing stress to employees.

It shows that while digital technology and tools have revolutionized workspaces by increasing productivity and connectivity, they are also blurring the lines between work and personal life, leaving employees extremely fatigued and unable to truly disconnect from work. It’s not uncommon for people to check their work email in the middle of the night or while on vacation. This culture of hustling also causes employees to suffer from performance anxiety, as they feel pressured to respond to messages immediately for fear of being perceived as unproductive.

How to create a healthy digital workplace

Researchers offer tips to make the digital workspace less stressful.

They suggested:

• Development of skills: They suggested that employees receive help and knowledge to navigate digital tools effectively. It is especially more useful for older employees who find it difficult to operate machinery.
• Border Management: Empower employees to set and maintain boundaries between work and personal life.
• Tool availability: Simplify and improve digital tools in the workplace to reduce tech frustration.
• Individual approaches: Recognize and meet the unique needs and preferences of employees.

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