By blurring the line between private and professional life, digital tools can have subtle yet harmful effects on employees' well-being and health, potentially leading to burnout. Two experts share their insights on how to mitigate these impacts.
Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by an avalanche of emails or instant messages at work? Notifications often come at a relentless pace. According to a French study, employees receive an average of 144 emails per week, and 31% of them respond outside regular working hours. This constant barrage is referred to by specialists as "digital stress" or "techno-stress," which drains employees and can sometimes escalate to burnout.
“Only recently has this issue been considered through the lens of workplace health,” explains Justine Dima, associate professor at the School of Engineering and Management in Yverdon-les-Bains (HEIG-VD). How can companies reduce digital stress? What strategies can be put in place? Here are five key recommendations.
1. Conduct a diagnosis
"Digital stress can have various origins," explains Justine Dima. "It can arise when digital tools invade an employee's personal life, when someone feels overwhelmed by the complexity of technology, or when they are unsure how to use it. Digital tools can also lead to work overload and even fuel the fear of losing one's job if they are seen as essential professional skills."
To effectively reduce this stress, the expert recommends starting with a diagnosis of techno-stress within the company. This involves identifying the specific aspects that cause problems. Online barometers or the psychosocial risk analysis service offered by Haute École ARC can assist companies in this initial step.
2. Respect disconnect times
Digital tools often blur the boundaries between professional and personal life. According to TravailSuisse, the constant expectation of being reachable is frequently cited as a drawback of digital technology.
Workplace psychologist Catherine Buchet advises, "Companies should implement clear policies to limit emails and calls outside of legal working hours and emphasize the importance of separating work and personal life."
Justine Dima adds, "As a leader, it’s important to set an example by not contacting employees outside of regular working hours, especially on their personal numbers, even if you yourself are working during those times."
3. Clarify the purpose of each application
The proliferation of communication channels, known as digital overload, is the second biggest factor in techno-stress after the encroachment on personal life. According to Catherine Buchet, "Juggling between Teams, WhatsApp, the intranet, and personal files increases employees' mental load. Studies show that this overload negatively impacts the brain, reducing our ability to learn, retain information, and focus."
Simple measures can help reduce this overload. For example, limit the number of communication channels or "hold team discussions to clarify the specific purpose of each application."
Addressing digital stress also requires individual action. "Many people feel overwhelmed by information but haven’t adjusted their notification settings. This is a simple step that can significantly reduce digital demands," explains Justine Dima.
4. Support the introduction of new tools
"As careers progress, staying up-to-date with digital tools can become increasingly challenging. The pace of professional life and growing responsibilities often leave little time for continuous learning," explains Catherine Buchet. This fuels fears of falling behind or becoming obsolete in the job market. Companies must allocate dedicated work time for employees to stay current with digital advancements and maintain their skills.
For Justine Dima, the key is involving employees in the implementation process of new tools: "Three-quarters of technological changes fail because employees are not engaged. A tool must first meet a real need. It’s also recommended to proceed step-by-step, launching pilot projects, making adjustments, and communicating successes."
Contrary to popular belief, the biggest challenges don’t come from employees who resist adopting new technologies, but from overly high expectations, which often lead to disappointment.
5. Consider continuous training
Higher education institutions offer continuing education programs for companies to learn best practices in digital technology. Online courses (MOOCs) on platforms like Coursera are also available. "Managers should take an active role in identifying relevant training programs, offering them internally, and sharing them on the company’s e-learning platforms," concludes Justine Dima.
Informations
On the theme
In Zurich, the University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is developing chatbots to help employees manage stress. Based on open-source artificial intelligence technology, the tool incorporates cognitive therapy techniques and mindfulness exercises. It can be used independently or with the support of a human specialist.
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Last modification 07.01.2025
