Fear of Being Offline: How Can Your Organisation Address It

Today, we live and work in a hyperconnected world where technology is at the forefront of everything we do. Technological advancements have entered into workplaces at pace, revolutionising how organisations and employees operate on a day-to-day basis.

The impact of technological advancements in the workplace has been incredible! This new technology has resulted in us being constantly being online and contactable which in turn has created for employees a fear of being offline.

What is the fear of being offline?

When working from home you might feel a pressure to announce every and all tasks- ones that had you carried them out in the office you wouldn’t have thought twice about them. For example, changing your Microsoft Teams or Slack to let people know you’re in a deep focus on a project or that you’re just going to make a cup of tea. Why do we do this? Because the idea that for those 5-10 minutes when someone might need something and you’re not readily available is unthinkable.

When we think about the fear of being offline in a work sense it manifests itself in an ‘always on’ mentality. Creating a desire in ourselves that we have to prove what we’re doing, prove that we’re being productive. It’s not just that we want to prove we’re being productive all the time it’s also that when we’re not being productive, or people can’t immediately see this we’re giving them reasons for why that is- no matter how small the window of time is.

What causes the fear of being offline?

In recent years the way we live has changed drastically. We went from lengthy commutes to work to working from the couch/ kitchen/ wherever we could. As a result of us being at home constantly we were available at all times- what else would we be doing after all?

The increased use of platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Slack have brought us together. We can now easily video call, instant message and share files with colleagues no matter where they are. These platforms enable us to easily work from home without the barriers we used to have- now working from home very closely resembles working in the office. However, they also lead to blurred lines between work and home life.

It’s these platforms that further facilitate the fear for employees with them available on phones and laptops. This increases the expectation they have to always be reachable and responsive no matter what the time or day of the week. It’s this culture that leads to pressure to remain logged on and respond after hours. As a result, some people have found themselves unable to disconnect and unwind at the end of the workday leading to stress and burnout.

How does the fear of being offline manifest?

Mostly, this manifests with employees overcompensating with their online presence which in turn can cause burnout and a loss of productivity in time. For some people not being logged on will lead to them worrying they fall behind on tasks or let down their colleagues. While for others constantly being online can affect their performance- it can create more difficulty for people to focus and problem-solve. Constantly having emails and notifications can interrupt thinking time leading to them struggling to apply attention to what they’re working on.

How can you address the fear of being offline in your workplace?

As employers, it’s important to have trust In your employees. In a culture where people are your top priority then their wellbeing will be too. As long as your employees are doing the work required and putting in the effort. There’s no reason for them to have to constantly update you and feel micromanaged- after all, sticking on a wash or answering the door for another package isn’t a crime, is it?

• It all starts with culture- the first step would be to address where the pressure stems from. Does your culture allow this to thrive as an internal unspoken narrative? Or are your managers making your employees feel like they have to constantly be online? If it’s managers, you can address this with training and identifying where that comes from. Explaining the effects of such a management style and how that then impacts the business. Even if it’s not the culture facilitating the fear we would recommend educating the team on the fear of being offline, opening the conversation and hearing from employees who might be suffering with this can help them by alleviating this stress.
• Promote positive digital wellbeing. Cultivate a culture and team with healthy digital practices where your employees can create a healthier work-life balance and switch off at the end of the day whether they are working in the office or at home.

How can WE help?

In a world where digital advancements are ever-changing and constantly growing in numbers it’s so important for employers to address this complex challenge. Understanding the roots of the fear of being offline in your workplace can help you to address the challenge and work together with your employees to create a workplace where digital well-being is clearly at the forefront.

Our specialists have experience in creating positive work cultures in which people thrive and are proud to work within. By working together to address the issues we can create bespoke workplace policies that eradicate the fear of being offline for your team.

If you have any queries about the fear of being offline or workplace cultures, please do not hesitate to get in contact with Katie Bremner, or your usual People team contact.