E-mail overload: Exploring employees’ experiences using e-mail during worktime and leisure time and consequences for their subjective well-being

Abstract

Increased connectivity between employees and their organizations complicates managing information flows and constant availability via e-mail. We classify employees’ e-mail experiences using e-mail into groups of e-mail overload based on a boundary perspective and assess its impact and coping mechanisms, from a coping perspective, on subjective well-being. Survey results (N = 1,372) show that (1) e-mail overload during worktime increases job stress and reduces job and life satisfaction; (2) e-mail overload during work and leisure increases job stress and reduces life satisfaction; and (3) having no e-mail overload decreases job stress and improves job and life satisfaction. We formulate implications for research and practice.