Impact of Digital Technology on Employee Wellbeing in the Context of Teleworking During COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 significantly impacted economic and social life worldwide, and telecommuting has become the only option for many companies and organizations to continue operating during this time. While telecommuting is not a new concept, the mass adoption of telecommuting during a pandemic is unprecedented. The widespread adoption of digital technology has highlighted the importance of digital technology in enabling telecommuting. However, the emerging telecommuting model brings new challenges and raises concerns about employee wellbeing. One of the key issues is employee health and well-being. This paper examines the impact of digital technology on employee wellbeing in a telecommuting environment through a literature review and an empirical study. The study finds that using digital technology has positive and negative impacts on employee wellbeing. Digital technology can improve communication, collaboration, and productivity, providing employees greater flexibility and autonomy. On the other hand, however, digital technology can also lead to problems such as information overload, blurred boundaries between work and life, and increased stress and fatigue. The impact of digital technology on employee wellbeing depends on various factors, including the type of technology used, the nature of the work performed, and the characteristics of the employee.