A growing number of employees across the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa are struggling to disconnect from work, with new research from Kaspersky revealing a sharp rise in what experts describe as “digital anxiety.”
According to the survey, 83% of employees remain connected to work even during their personal time, reflecting a workplace culture where switching off has become increasingly difficult.
The findings show that 85% of respondents continue to respond to work-related messages on instant messaging platforms, while an equal proportion regularly check emails outside official working hours.
More than four in five employees admit to replying to emails even while on vacation.
This constant connectivity is taking a psychological toll.
Many workers report heightened stress linked not only to workload but also to digital interactions.
Simple mistakes, such as sending messages to the wrong chat group, trigger anxiety for 43% of respondents.
However, not all digital errors carry the same weight, with 40% saying they are less concerned about sending incomplete emails.
The study highlights how blurred boundaries between personal and professional life are intensifying feelings of being constantly monitored.
Over a third of employees say they feel uneasy or even fearful if their supervisors notice them using social media during work hours, further amplifying workplace pressure.
Experts warn that the “always-on” culture may have long-term consequences, including burnout, reduced productivity, and declining overall well-being.
Beyond mental health concerns, the pressure to respond quickly is also creating cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Employees acting under stress are more likely to click on suspicious links or respond to fraudulent requests without proper verification, increasing exposure to phishing attacks and other cyber threats.
To address these risks, Kaspersky advises employees to slow down before responding to messages, treat urgent or unexpected requests with caution, and avoid accessing sensitive information over unsecured networks.
The company also emphasizes the importance of using secure technologies and maintaining strong cybersecurity awareness.
At an organisational level, businesses are encouraged to invest in regular cybersecurity training and adopt advanced protection systems to reduce the impact of human error.
As digital communication continues to dominate modern workplaces, striking a balance between connectivity and well-being is becoming increasingly critical.
