A survey reveals that digital anxiety is becoming a defining feature of modern work culture
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A new survey by global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has unveiled insights into the modern work culture in South Africa, where an overwhelming 81% of respondents admitted to monitoring their work tasks outside of official working hours.
The trend of "digital anxiety" is contributing to an increasingly blurred line between personal life and professional obligations, as employees find it difficult to disconnect even during their time off and vacations.
The survey, which gathered insights from individuals across Africa, the Middle East, and Turkiye, revealed that digital anxiety is becoming a defining feature of modern work culture, as employees don’t disconnect even during their free time and vacations.
According to the findings, 79% reply to all work-related messages in instant messaging apps, while 85% check work emails during their time off and 79% admit they respond to work emails while on vacation or in their personal time.
The pressure to remain constantly available is contributing to heightened stress levels in the workplace.
The findings draw attention to specific repercussions of this digital attachment, particularly anxiety and stress arising from minor digital missteps.About 47% of survey participants expressed anxiety after mistakenly sending a message to the wrong work chat, reflecting how sensitive they are to the perception of professionalism.
In contrast, 37% reported a more relaxed attitude towards sending unfinished emails, indicating that not all digital errors are created equal in the eyes of employees.
Blurred boundaries between professional and personal life, combined with instant communication tools, are intensifying feelings of constant monitoring and fear of making digital errors.
The modern workplace's demand for instant communication is fostering an environment where more than 42% of South African respondents feel extremely uncomfortable, if not outright scared, if their boss catches them browsing social media while at work.
The “always-on” culture may undermine employee well-being, increase burnout risks, and reduce overall productivity in the long term.
“Digital anxiety doesn’t just affect employee well-being, it can also increase cybersecurity risks for organisations. When people feel constant pressure to respond immediately to messages and emails, they are more likely to act impulsively, without carefully verifying links, attachments, or sender identities.
"This urgency can make employees more vulnerable to phishing, and other scams using social engineering techniques,” said Brandon Muller, technical expert at Kaspersky.