Exploring the Relationship Between Techno-Unreliability at Work and Burnout.

Abstract

With the growing dissemination of digital technologies in the workplace, technologies itself and related factors are increasingly discussed as an additional source of work stress, often referred to as technostress. This article explores whether techno-unreliability as a dimension of technostress is associated with burnout. We perform linear regression analyses based on a large representative sample of German employees collected in 2019. We distinguish between information and communication technology users ( n = 4702) and tool users ( n = 1953). Interaction models explore whether individual and workplace-related factors might moderate the relationship. The results indicate that the more frequently employees experience techno-induced interruptions (as an indicator for techno-unreliability), the stronger their burnout symptoms. Interaction models reveal that social support and job autonomy might buffer this association. Ensuring reliable technology and technical support can reduce employee stress.