Mobile technology is increasingly seen as a key driver of workplace stress among senior executives.
- A recent report highlights that 80% of executives find today’s work environment more stressful than five years ago.
- Three-quarters of these executives attribute rising stress levels to mobile technology usage.
- Employers often expect quick email responses, creating an ‘always on’ culture that executives find challenging.
- Few companies have established protocols for managing stress, exacerbating the issue.
Mobile technology is increasingly viewed as a significant contributor to workplace stress, particularly among senior executives. According to a report by Russam GMS, a substantial 80% of these executives now perceive their work environment as more stressful compared to five years ago. Furthermore, three-quarters directly attribute this stress escalation to mobile technology.
The expectation to remain connected, primarily through emails, has created a pervasive ‘always on’ culture. Approximately 60% of executives report that their employers expect them to answer emails beyond regular working hours. This expectation is a significant source of stress and burnout, as highlighted by a fifth of the respondents who struggle to ‘switch off’ after work hours.
Demands for constant availability contribute to increased stress levels alongside heightened financial targets and the relentless nature of communication via email. Despite this, over 80% of executives indicate a lack of organisational procedures for addressing workplace stress. While the majority, 95%, could identify stress among their peers, fewer than 15% of organisations offer stress-related briefings, counselling, or mentoring programmes.
For the minority of companies addressing stress, informal appraisals where stress issues might be raised are the most common strategy. This lack of comprehensive stress management support is concerning, especially since stress has been identified as a primary cause of long-term sick leave in the UK, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive. Their data shows 11.3 million working days lost to stress-related conditions in the 2013/14 period, costing the economy significantly.
Ian Joseph, Managing Director of Russam GMS, stated that the integration of mobile technology and a 24/7 working culture complicates the ability to disconnect, which fuels workplace stress. He emphasises that companies failing to support employee health and tackle stress are potentially facing future issues. Nearly 70% of respondents believe that companies offering more health benefits would be more attractive to employees, while a quarter prioritise health and well-being benefits over pay rises.
Despite these concerns, many companies in Britain are neglecting to provide essential health benefits. A startling 25% of organisations offer no health benefits, and about 65% do not promote taking regular breaks from desks. Adrian Lewis of Activ Absence suggests that mobile technology can be a ‘double-edged sword’, facilitating work flexibility while simultaneously making it challenging to unhook during personal time.
The increasing reliance on mobile technology, without adequate stress management strategies, poses a growing challenge for executive well-being.
