Workplace Stress

Executive Summary

In the last three decades, the world has been witness to the greatest revolution in the history of humanity.  This revolution has spanned all borders, conquered all nations, and reengineered the way people live and communicate with each other.  It has permeated every aspect of life in all social and economic brackets throughout the world, and has taken over the vast majority of governmental and business processes.  It has resulted in the annihilation of entire industries, and has given rise to countless others.  It is the revolution of technology.

Nevertheless, this revolution of data and productivity has come at a price.  The demands created by technological advances have caused increased stress levels in the majority of the American workforce.  According to the article Overcoming Fear of PCs, almost 85% of working Americans have at least some anxiety around technology.  Larry Rosen, co-author of the book TechnoStress, claims that "there's still a lot of fear and loathing about these machines.  As many as 85% of us have at least some level of discomfort around technology, including PCs."   Overcoming Fear found that 80% of people report stress has resulted from workplace technology.  Technology has led to an increase in productivity, but has fostered a new corporate dilemma; how to deal with technology-related stress.

How technology affects stress

According to the Kensington Stress & Technology in the Workplace Survey, a primary source of workplace stress is the various demands of new technologies.  These demands include problems like e-mail information overload, a fear of data loss, and a constant need to remain "connected."   Technology provides organizations with the ability to distribute information much faster than ever before.  Communication networks and e-mail systems have become flooded with more data than is practical for an organization's management capabilities, or even an employee's ability to assess.  These issues, in turn, affect the level of stress in an employee's personal life.

Adjusting to the new paradigms that technology creates is also a source of stress for many employees. "Adjusting to new technologies -- like the web, networks, personal communications -- that have saturated today's workplace is creating new demands on workers, and that's causing more stress," says Odette Pollar, president of Oakland-based Time Management Systems.  Information regarding new technologies must be made available to workers before they are required to use the devices in their day-to-day tasks.  Managers must consider the significance education has in making the adjustment to new technology as easy as possible.

For example, system integration is easier now than ever before, but the complexity involved in this process is a source of stress.  Many individuals are excited about the opportunities that new technologies provide, but are hesitant when it comes to actually using such devices.  In Overcoming Fear, Larry Rosen states that "In work settings, two-thirds of people are 'hesitant' about technology."  Employees find that the moment they feel comfortable in their ability to operate a high-tech system, the system is replaced by a new higher-tech development.  This can be a very frustrating issue for personnel, frequently creating tension and aggravation.

How to mitigate technology related stress

Technology related stress is an issue for all organizations that seek to leverage its benefits towards maximizing productivity.  A variety of mechanisms have been determined that will assist in the mitigation of this type of stress.

Job design methods are a critical part of technology stress management.  The various stresses in the current marketplace are not static, nor are the individuals that deal with these fluctuating factors.  Consequently, an occupation-centric structural philosophy that allows dynamic growth and is aligned with market trends is essential for the mitigation of stress.  Job functions should parallel individual aptitudes and abilities.  This dynamic will allow workers to employ diverse skills and technical competencies, decreasing their stress level and reliance upon a single technology, as well as avoiding an environment where they must use the same technologies and processes over and over again.

Alternative work arrangements are another consideration for the mitigation of technology stress.  It is possible to harness and leverage technology as a tool to mitigate technology stress.  A common example of this would be telecommuting.  This process allows employees to work from their own home; it provides relief from a variety of stress factors.  Technology is no longer an enemy; it empowers the employee to implement job requirements from the comfort of home. 

Similarly, flexible working hours can be used to alleviate technology stress.  Many employees are responsible for time-critical or mission-critical projects; delaying an existing problem can be unacceptable.  Other jobs are needs-based, and requests in the middle of the night to come into the office are common.  Flexible working hours moderate the amount of stress that these individuals endure because of their responsibilities to the technology or their job. Many companies have realized this as a viable method of stress diminution; according to the Kensington Survey, 46% of employees report that they have access to benefits like flexible work schedules, telecommuting options or compensation time.  Employees are allowed to work within alternative parameters, rather than against an arbitrary corporate policy that has no bearing on job function. 

Ethics are another significant consideration in the management of technology-related stress.  Management must consider the ethical implications of technology, and how they relate to stress in the workplace.  A comprehensive policy should exist that details the corporate guidelines regarding email retention, acceptable applications for technology, and standards that employees must conform to.  Employees that are in ethically questionable circumstances will experience stress mitigation through corporate policy guidance.  Furthermore, employees that use technology for personal use can subject their coworkers to stress, particularly when offensive material is viewed or displayed.

Workplace stress has always been a principal consideration for organizations that seek to foster an environment where employees are satisfied and motivated.  The advent of technology has only served to further complicate the management of stress factors in the workplace.  However, the tools that have been developed by experts provide a powerful means for the management of this stress.  With a clear understanding of the factors that create technology stress, managers are in a position to architect solutions that will cultivate a more positive, stress-free environment; one that will serve to keep their employees in high spirits and their productivity on the rise.