Nowadays it is increasingly common for companies to incorporate all types of new technologies to improve their results and increase the performance of their employees.
These types of tools have greatly facilitated the lives of workers, but in some cases, if not managed properly, the constant handling of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can have a negative effect on performance and employee well-being, the so-called technostress.
The impact of technostress on the company and the worker It occurs both at a psychological level and at an efficiency level when addressing their responsibilities in the workplace, and there are many ways in which this phenomenon affects the entire company or organization, both from the influence on each of the employees, as well as from the appearance of problems of a group or collective nature.
What are the main consequences of technostress for companies?
This is a brief summary of the consequences that technostress can have on companies, if we focus on the way in which this problem is reflected in the way organizations operate.
1. Concentration deficits
One of the most obvious problems derived from the inadequate management of new technologies in companies is the increase in concentration difficulties in many workers
This phenomenon can occur for various reasons, since each worker has their own personal experiences, but it generally has to do with the fact of receiving a constant bombardment of information digitally: from notifications from the mobile messaging system, to emails. unnecessary electronics, including the appearance of advertisements when browsing the Internet for professional reasons.
In addition to that, concentration deficits also can be associated with frustration and feelings of worthlessness that the worker may experience when realizing that he is not capable of correctly carrying out his tasks in the face of this type of disruption.
2. Spreading rumors
In the world of digital media, Information flies and can be shared without having to prove its veracity face to face And in many cases, this means that there are even fewer filters when it comes to sharing information of dubious origin.
The rapid spread of unfounded rumors about things that supposedly affect the organization can also be one of the consequences of the technostress suffered by some of its employees.
This phenomenon affects both the employees who participate in it and the organization as a whole and can be avoided through collaboration and improving communication between the organization, the HR department and employees.
3. Intensification of the digital divide
The techno-stress most commonly suffered by senior employees makes it possible for the digital generation gap between a company’s workers to become more evident in turn generating inequality in performance and reasons for frustration or even conflict.
Likewise, this stress derived from the use of new technologies generates various psychological alterations in people who suffer from it, such as low self-esteem and anxiety.
4. Communication deficits
The techno-stress problems that arise among employees and related to the integration of new technologies in their workplace can also be linked to communication problems that affect the productivity of workers and the organization.
The appearance of misunderstandings in the communication of information is very common by decreasing face-to-face interactions between employees. Many times, trusting everything to the exchange of emails and text messages gives rise to an ambiguity that could be avoided, but which is often interpreted in the worst possible way (in the face of ignorance, human beings tend to put ourselves “on guard” and fall in a pessimistic bias about what the other person meant).
5. Saturation
The appearance of cases of technostress in some companies may also be due to a feeling of saturation on the part of some employees, due to having many options at all times and the inability to manage them all at once
This discomfort can be resolved in part by training the employee in the correct use of different technologies and means to carry out the tasks entrusted to him, and also by learning techniques for stress management and management of work time and tasks. breaks.
6. Problems in technological standardization
Deficits in correctly using technology can also lead to significant problems in the technological standardization of the organization in the long run.
This happens, for example, when two departments of the company work with different computer programs a problem that will decisively affect the proper functioning and performance of the company and may even give rise to the appearance of opposing “sides.”
7. Work accumulation
The accumulated work related to the management of digitized information (information on the use of programs or how to handle other types of information) constitutes another of the consequences of techno-stress in the company.
And this phenomenon may be due to an inability to manage this type of information on the part of the employee, a lack of knowledge or training, a state of saturation or a excess fatigue caused by technostress
8. Absenteeism from work
Absenteeism from work is one of the last and most drastic consequences that the phenomenon of technostress can have on employees and constitutes a real problem for the company.
No organization positively values absenteeism among its employees, which is why it is so important to implement solutions to resolve cases of technostress, avoiding the main risk factors and applying efficient training, information and communication strategies
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