Study: A digital workplace can accentuate stress and FOMO

Remote work can promote stress and burnout, largely due to FOMO. — AFP Relaxnews

The increasing pervasiveness of working online with a laptop means that employees often enjoy greater flexibility and employers can attract talent that might otherwise be out of reach. However, for some people working remotely in front of a computer all day is associated with being more susceptible to stress and burnout.

According to a study, the idea of FOMO ("fear of missing out") itself can promote stress and burnout, accentuated by a digital workspace.

A study carried out by researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK and published in the Sage Open journal reveals that a digital workplace pushes some people to stay constantly connected so as not to miss any information, increasing stress and mental fatigue.

Researchers collected data from 142 UK-based employees to examine the negative effects of digital work and technology use, such as stress, overload, anxiety and fear of missing out.

FOMO, an acronym for “fear of missing out”, refers to the anxiety of missing out on information, opportunities for relationships and interactions, and is now making its way into the world of work. Results from the study show that the feeling of being overloaded and the fear of missing out on information are particularly detrimental to well-being, promoting stress and anxiety at the digital workplace.

"The glut of information flowing through channels such as email, intranets or collaboration tools can lead workers to worry about missing out on it as well as succumbing to overload as they strive to keep up. To help people cope with information overwhelm, serious and sustained attention should be given to both optimizing information management and supporting information literacy,” explains Elizabeth Marsh, PhD student in psychology and co)author of the study, in a press release.

The study also highlights the importance of taking stock of these negative effects on employee well-being and suggests that employers invest in practices to optimize the quantity and flow of information. It recommends considering policies and training that would help digital workplace users to better access, manage and consume information.

"Consideration of the digital workplace in work and job design is essential to not only employee productivity but also well-being in modern organizations. Where this is lacking, elevated stress and burnout as well as poorer mental health may result. Our findings indicate the information ecosystem as an important area for attention both inside organizations and among the research community," concludes Alexa Spence, professor of Psychology and co-author of the study. – AFP Relaxnews