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Research has confirmed what many of us already suspected: information overload and fear of missing out (FoMO) in digital workplace settings is having a significant negative impact on mental health.
The research, titled "Overloaded by Information or Worried About Missing Out on It," looked specifically at the impact our increased reliance on digital workplace tools has had on general wellbeing.
Technostress in the Digital Workplace
The authors, led by Digital Work Research's Elizabeth Marsh, note in the introduction that overload and anxiety in the digital workplace can lead to technostress — stress specifically caused by the use of technology — and may harm employees' psychological well-being, despite the clear advantages technology offers.
While acknowledging the productivity benefits a digital workplace can provide, the research notes how COVID increased workers' dependence on digital tools, regardless of whether they worked in remote, hybrid or on-site models.
The growing trend to pull workers back into the physical workplace therefore will not cause this dependency to disappear, meaning managers and leaders must find a way to lessen the effects of information overload in particular as well as its flipside, FoMO. The research showed that:
1. Information Overload
A 2022 OpenText survey found 80% of surveyed workers said information overload added to daily stress. The research also showed that the use of multiple digital tools adds to technostress, while information overload lead to frequent interruptions, work-life conflicts and email addiction.
2. FoMO
FoMO in the workplace is the anxiety around missing both important information and updates, as well as opportunities for relationships and interactions. It has been found to contribute to workplace burnout. The flow of information, especially when overwhelming or missed, the Overloaded researchers said, is the most detrimental factor to worker well-being.
Related Podcast: How to Overcome Information Overload
Information Anxiety Points to a Bigger Issue: Lack of Trust
Information overload and FOMO are two sides of the same coin, Creative Navy UX Agency CEO Dennis Lenard said. Not falling into either of the extremes might seem like a balancing act, but it boils down to respecting the established communication channels and only using them when necessary.
Part of this is ensuring communication on formal channels ceases after working hours, he continued. With this, employees will see there are clear boundaries set in place to protect them and their mental health from the added toll of overworking. “For employees who are looking to feel more connected to their coworkers, periodical meet-ups in informal settings should nip their FoMO in the bud," he said.
Lenard flags that these kinds of issues with communications go much deeper. “The fear that communications within an organization are not transparent is a sign of a larger issue: a lack of trust in management,” he said. “Employees need to feel like they know everything they need to in order to do their jobs, which is why ensuring that they have access to key resources and information is vital.”
Related Article: Bothered and Bewildered by Notifications? It's OK to Opt Out
Tackling Information Overload
One of the advantages of a digital workplace is that it provides place where communication and collaboration complement each other, IT specialist and Anstrex founder Hiren Shah told Reworked. But information overload and the anxiety that emanates from fear of missing out (FOMO) are real.
Task management software like Asana or Trello is one common way businesses tackle these issues through technology. Task prioritization is another common strategy, however Shah mentions other methods to tackle the overflow of information:
1. Information Zoning
Information zoning is when you differentiate between different areas in your physical workspace for focus, collaboration and digital communication. Create clear channels or categories for what is important, urgent and trivial in your messages to minimize mental fatigue.
2. Promote 'Digital Detox Windows'
One of the most crucial things to establish in the digital workplace is boundaries, Shah added. Encourage employees to schedule 'digital detox windows' which means some time disconnected from emails, messaging apps and notifications.
3. Make use of AI filters and automation
AI-powered tools may be a game-changer in dealing with information overload, he continued. AI can be used to create smart filters, prioritizations and highlight essential messages or emails based on specific keywords or urgency. When done right, AI can help employees focus on high-priority tasks rather than manually sifting through low-importance information, he said.
“By embracing zoning, ambassador systems and digital detoxes in your communication strategy, you can design a better, more work-focused work environment,” he said. “It is not just a matter of managing information but of building an intentional ecosystem where your workforce feels informed, not drowned in information.”
Related Article: How to Help Your Employees Digitally Declutter
Automation and Prioritization Fight Information Overload
Poorly structured information flows are also central to the creation of decision fatigue and burnout, especially in SaaS environments, DevSquad founder and CEO Philip Alves said.
The trick, he said, is not just to streamline workflows but also to create intentional pathways for information so that only the most relevant data reaches the right people at the right time.
“For me, the key is focusing on automation and prioritization,” he said. “When you build workflows that use tools like project management software, automated notifications or real-time dashboards, you allow your team to filter out unnecessary noise and focus on actionable information.”
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It is not about cutting off access to information but organizing it in a way that feels manageable. Teams need to feel empowered, not overwhelmed, Alves added.
The impact is twofold: Employees can make faster, better-informed decisions while reducing the cognitive load that comes with too much information, which is crucial for productivity and mental wellbeing. In the long run, thoughtful digital workflows prevent burnout and drive efficiency and innovation.
Related Article: Don't Let Your Company's Digital Tools Sabotage the Employee Experience
A Two-Fold Solution
Access to more data doesn't improve decision-making. While technology is the source, it can also be the solution when used to improve information flow.
The research by Marsh et al. concludes that organizations need to optimize the flow of work-related information in the digital workplace and support employees to leverage information effectively.
Leaders need to set clear protocols on when and how to communicate to prevent overwhelming inboxes. However, the solution is a combination of technology and in-person conversations between leaders and employees to foster open dialogue and constructive feedback. Ultimately, optimizing the way information is shared helps teams reach their full potential.