What is technostress and why does it matter in today’s workplace?
Technostress refers to the negative psychological and physical effects that occur when people struggle to cope with technology in their work. Unlike general digital fatigue, which may be temporary or situational, this stress emerges from persistent challenges such as information overload, constant connectivity, and rapid technological change.
The cultural shift towards hybrid working, instant messaging and the expectation to respond quickly to emails has made technostress in the workplace more common than ever. Workers feel “always on”, with blurred boundaries between their home and work life contributing to longer-term mental fatigue and burnout. As technology continues to play an important role in our daily lives, it’s essential that UK organisations recognise the impact it can have on employee wellbeing.
Managing this is also crucial for maintaining employee productivity and retention. The CIPD 2025 Good Work Index found that UK employees who felt that their work negatively affects their mental health have lower job satisfaction, are more likely to quit, and are less likely to recommend their employer. Poorly managed stress can also lead to presenteeism, lower engagement, and mistakes that cost organisations time and money. Addressing workplace mental health proactively helps organisations to maintain a resilient, adaptable workforce that will drive them towards success.
What are the different types of technostress?
Understanding the different types of this stress is important for pinpointing pressures and design strategies to address them. While each type has unique triggers, they all affect employees’ performance, satisfaction and wellbeing. Let’s explore the five main forms and what they look like.
Techno-overload: When tech speeds up work beyond capacity
Techno-overload happens when digital tools accelerate work beyond what employees can reasonably manage. Managers may expect faster outputs simply because technology allows for it, leading to rapid task-switching, information overload, and unrealistic workloads. Staff can feel constantly behind, juggling multiple platforms and competing priorities, which drains energy and focus. Streamlining workflows and clarifying expectations is key to recognising where stress arises from sheer volume.
Techno-invasion: When the line between work and life blurs
Techno-invasion refers to technology intruding into personal time, making it difficult for employees to switch off. Evening emails, smartphone alerts and the blurred boundaries of working from home often mean that workers feel compelled to remain available outside standard hours. This constant connectivity erodes work-life balance and can lead to anxiety, sleep disruption and burnout. Policies like the right to disconnect in the UK are important steps for reducing this type of stress.
Techno-complexity: When tools become too hard to keep up with
Techno-complexity arises when employees struggle to understand or use the digital tools they rely on. This can be caused by poorly implemented systems, an excessive number of platforms, or lack of clear guidance. Older employees may face lower digital literacy, while younger employees raised on mobile devices may still struggle with desktop systems. Deskless workers are particularly vulnerable if technology doesn’t match their working style, leaving them feeling isolated and disconnected. Complexity not only increases stress but also slows productivity and collaboration.
Techno-insecurity: When technology threatens confidence or jobs
Techno-insecurity occurs when employees fear that their skills are becoming obsolete due to new tools such as automation or AI. In the UK, growing concerns about job displacement or performance monitoring amplify this stress. Workers may hesitate to embrace new systems or feel nervous about evaluations, leading to reduced engagement and a rise in performance anxiety. Investigating this type of stress can help organisations to identify and address these insecurities before they impact morale and retention.
Techno-uncertainty: When constant change erodes stability
Techno-uncertainty refers to the stress caused by frequent updates, new platforms, and shifting digital processes. Employees may worry about taking the time to learn a system only for it to change, leading to frustration and disengagement. Addressing these concerns is critical to maintain a positive employee experience and prevent recurring cycles of stress related to technological change.
Why are modern workplaces in the UK uniquely vulnerable to technostress?
UK workplaces face unique pressures that make this more likely, and understanding these causes can help leaders to design interventions that address the root rather than the symptoms. Before we look at how to reduce technostress, let’s explore the reasons why it’s become such a serious issue for modern workplaces in the UK.
Blurred boundaries
Hybrid working has created blurred boundaries between office and home life. Constant connectivity and expectations of availability mean that many employees struggle to switch off, making it harder to separate their personal and professional time. Leaders need to recognise that technology isn’t just a tool but a cultural driver of stress. Supporting hybrid working norms with clear boundaries is essential to prevent the stress from taking hold.
Digital inequality
Not all employees have equal confidence or access to technology. Differences in digital literacy, home infrastructure and access to support create uneven experiences of this stress, with some employees thriving and others struggling to get by. Organisations need to ensure that everyone has the skills, tools and guidance to work effectively in a digital environment, minimising the impact of tech-related stress.
Economic pressures
The current economic uncertainty in the UK is driving organisations to prioritise cost-cutting and efficiency, often without considering the human impact. This can lead to overreliance on digital tools to speed up work or track performance, increasing stress for employees. Focusing on people-centric approaches to HR and business development ensures that technology supports productivity rather than replacing the human element, reducing pressure across the workforce.
How to reduce technostress in the workplace
Addressing technostress requires a strategic approach that combines assessment, targeted interventions and tangible culture change. Below, we explore some practical steps that organisations can take to reduce stress and improve overall digital wellbeing.
Assess the level of technostress in your workplace
Before making changes, it’s vital to understand the scale and sources of the stress. Engage employees through surveys or informal conversations to gauge how they feel about the technology they use daily. Pulse surveys can provide ongoing insights into where stress is building and highlight which tools or processes are contributing most to it.
Audit your digital platforms
Organisations often suffer from tool sprawl, with multiple platforms performing overlapping functions. Conduct a thorough audit to consolidate systems, assign platforms for specific types of communication, and replace those that fail to meet needs. Streamlined digital environments reduce confusion, friction and stress, and help to improve efficiency.
Prioritise digital wellbeing
Setting boundaries around technology use is crucial. Consider introducing digital detox hours pr protected focus time, and encourage leaders to model healthy behaviours. Ensuring that employees can disconnect without fear of repercussions helps to reduce both cognitive and emotional stress linked to constant connectivity.
Strengthen digital confidence
Invest in training and development to build employees’ ability to use technology effectively. Providing guidance, mentoring or on-demand resources improves confidence, reduces anxiety, and empowers staff to embrace new tools. This is especially important for fast-changing environments and supporting employees who are less tech savvy.
Shift from reactive to proactive work
Re-evaluating workflows to reduce last-minute tasks can help to alleviate pressure. Automating repetitive processes and using technology to handle administrative work allows employees to spend more time on higher-value tasks, reducing the intensity of this stress. This proactive approach fosters a more sustainable, focused working environment where teams can thrive without feeling overwhelmed.
Build a healthier digital culture
Finally, a company’s culture matters just as much as the tools it uses. Fostering trust, autonomy and permission to disconnect ensures that employees feel supported, not monitored. Embedding these values in leadership practices and company policies helps to prevent this type of stress from taking root.
Minimise and monitor technostress with PeopleHR
Managing technostress in the workplace isn’t just about limiting technology; it’s about using tools intelligently to support people. Being able to recognise the signs of this stress and identify its root causes is just the first step. Once you’ve highlighted areas of friction, it’s important to work proactively to minimise their impact on employee mental health and performance.
PeopleHR’s suite of HR software makes it easier to assess, monitor and address this, providing both managers and employees with practical support. From employee surveys to performance dashboards, we empower you to gain insights into workload, training and wellbeing, enabling leaders to identify areas of stress and act to alleviate them.
Watch our quick 4 minute demo to see any of our tools in action, or get in touch to see how PeopleHR can help you to foster a healthier workplace.
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