Fi Ping Fatigue

How Can Employers Help to Mitigate ‘Ping Fatigue’?

In the workplace, digital communication has become a staple. Emails are now sent in favor of phone calls, instant messages have replaced the slow back-and-forth of physical meetings, and having all of our work needs condensed onto apps on our phones means that we are always contactable at all times of the day.

However, too much of anything isn’t always good, as all these technological advancements do come with a price: ping fatigue.

‘Ping fatigue’ is a type of mental exhaustion which is brought on by constant notifications from work-related tools such as email, instant messaging apps, task management systems and calendar reminders. Employees are battling with a tsunami of pings all throughout their day that can lead to feelings of distraction and overwhelm that ultimately hinder their productivity and wellbeing – even though the goal of these time-saving services is to make life easier. And the lines become even more blurred when we consider remote and hybrid working arrangements, as the boundaries between work and home can sometimes start to blur in an unhealthy way that can make it hard to know when to truly switch off and silence those pings.

Interestingly, cognitive research has found that it takes an average of 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption. In other words, each new notification can actually end up disrupting an entire workflow, even though it is intended to be a gentle ping reminder. With micro-tasks constantly beckoning workers for their attention, this results in employees spiralling into a perpetual state of multitasking that will increase the likelihood of errors and stress.

So, what can employers be doing to help mitigate this rising ping fatigue?

  • Establish Clear Communication Protocols – set guidelines for when it’s acceptable to send messages or initiate meetings (for example, only during specific hours or with expectations for a delayed response outside of work hours), and encourage teams to establish specific times in the day for deep work without interruptions. During these designated hours, employees could disable their notifications so that they can focus without feeling pressured by incoming messages.
  • Limit Notification Settings – employers should advise employees to customize their notification settings across different platforms so that they only get alerts for critical messages. This could look like prioritizing direct messages over group chats to help minimize interruptions, or setting your applications to ‘do not disturb’ during focused work hours.
  • Promote Mental Wellbeing – encourage employees to take regular microbreaks throughout the working day, as this has been proven to help with the management of stress. If employees actively set aside little pockets of time to take a moment for themselves away from their avalanche of pings, this can really help towards the management of their mental wellbeing.
  • Provide Awareness Training – make an effort to educate employees around the impacts of ping fatigue, and offer workshops or training sessions on managing notifications, time management, and setting boundaries when digitally communicating.

Ping fatigue is becoming increasingly common in workplaces around the world. Although digital tools have transformed the way we work, they have also introduced new challenges for employers and employees alike. However, when used strategically, and with an emphasis on high-quality work and well-being rather than constant availability, these tools can help organizations foster a healthier and more fulfilling environment for everyone. If you would like to discuss how we can help foster this environment through mitigating ping fatigue, please get in touch with us today!

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