Several factors play into our workplace digital health and wellbeing – determining how we manage and use the gadgets that allow us to earn a living and communicate with others we work with.
Each of these factors intersects, impacts on and is influenced by (to a greater or lesser degree) each of the other factors – in a way that is unique to us and our professional circumstances.
The main catalyst and consequence of all these factors is how digital technology encourages and enables the blurring of our boundaries between work and home life.
For some workers, this can be motivational. For others, it is necessary but draining. But for almost all of us digital technology is a catalyst for, or facilitator of, behaviours thoughts and emotions that lead to greater levels of stress, anxiety and the potential for burnout.
This boundary blurring model is a representation of how these factors intersect and influenceeach other. It was developed from an empirical study of academic research around the implications of technology use in the workplace.
The outer elements are more physical manifestations of being, that we can either control (DigiTech Use), deliberately put in place (Remote, Hybrid or Flexible Working) or are unique personal traits that are part of who we are (Individual Differences).
The next layer in reflects the behavioural norms, biases, expectations (Work Norms… & Home Dynamics…), practices (Autonomy, Flexibility and Job Control) and personal infringements (Territoriality) that are associated with external factors that influence how we manage our daily work engagement.
The innermost layer covers the impact of our behaviours, characteristics, focus and expectations that involve or make use of work-based digital technology.
Right in the centre is the most tell-tale sign of all that we are heading towards work-based stress and burnout – i.e. engaging with our work-related tech when we would prefer, or need, to be having (and therefore sacrificing) me/family/home/playtime.
When we are regularly and systematically blurring the boundaries we have strategically put in place between our work and home lives, we do not achieve the physical, mental and emotional recovery that we need to live a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle.
