Experts say the constant need to learn new systems, respond to messages and stay connected is fuelling a growing phenomenon known as “technostress”.
The term refers to the mental and emotional strain caused by excessive use of digital technology or difficulty adapting to rapidly evolving systems.
According to Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Maisarah Hasbullah, technostress arises when employees are required to master new technologies without sufficient time, training or support.
“The term was introduced by clinical psychologist Craig Brod in 1984. He described technostress as a ‘modern adaptation disease’ that occurs when individuals struggle to cope with new computer technologies in a healthy way.”
Today, she said, the problem is becoming more visible as organisations rapidly adopt digital systems. While technology improves efficiency, it also requires workers to constantly adjust to new software, platforms, and ways of working.
And with constant connectivity, employees are often expected to respond to emails, messages and tasks even outside office hours, including during weekends and holidays. Over time, this blurs the boundary between professional and personal life.
Maisarah said technostress can appear in several forms, including information overload, technology invading personal time, anxiety about keeping up with new systems, and the complexity of digital tools that are difficult to learn.
“Some employees worry about making mistakes or being seen as incompetent when they cannot adapt quickly,” she added.
The rise of automation and AI has also added to these concerns. In many industries, workers fear they may struggle to keep up with technological change or even be replaced by it.
The education sector offered a clear example during the pandemic, when teachers had to quickly adapt to online learning platforms and digital teaching tools.
Many had to learn multiple applications while also dealing with internet connectivity issues and preparing new teaching materials.
Over time, technostress can affect more than just mental well-being; it may reduce concentration, lead to prolonged fatigue, and eventually lower motivation and productivity at work.
Employees experiencing high levels of technostress may also become reluctant to embrace new technology, seeing it as a burden rather than a helpful tool.
In the long term, this can even contribute to higher staff turnover if workers feel overwhelmed by constant technological pressure.
‘Promote continuous learning’
Meanwhile, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia senior lecturer Fauzi Ahmad said technostress is an inevitable by-product of today’s rapidly digitalising workplace.
Yet, he stressed that the issue is not purely technical: “It also involves psychological factors and organisational culture.
“If technology is introduced without considering the needs and feedback of employees, it can quickly become a source of stress rather than support,” he said.
Poorly designed systems, limited training, and rushed implementation often worsen the problem.
To reduce technostress, Fauzi said organisations should promote continuous learning and gradual change. Instead of implementing drastic shifts, companies should allow employees time to adapt to new systems while providing ongoing training and support.
Creating open channels for feedback can also help workers voice concerns about new technologies.
While digital pressure may remain part of the modern workplace, experts believe it does not have to produce negative outcomes.
“With the right support, technology can still empower workers rather than overwhelm them,” Fauzi concluded. “It should be seen as a skill to be learnt, not a threat.”