Nine in 10 business leaders in UK suffering from tech-related stress, study finds

Nearly nine in 10 business leaders in the UK (86 per cent) are suffering from tech-related stress, a new study has revealed.

The research, commissioned by BT and conducted by Censuswide discovered that 86 per cent of directors and executives says they suffer from ‘”bytemares”, tech-related stress so severe it is disrupting their sleep.

The stress was said to be related to the anxiety over the rapid pace of technological change in the workplace, particularly around AI and cybersecurity.

BT has estimated that the resulting “tech paralysis” from stress could stunt growth and cost the economy a staggering £11.79 billion by 2030, as many businesses opt to defer investment in tech transformation.

It comes as BT’s research estimates that 104,000 British businesses could be opting not to invest in new technology this year due to stress associated with implementation, transformation and upskilling involved.

As many as 59 per cent of decision makers worry about the future of their business due to the pace of technological change, however, 62 per cent believe tech transformation is vital to its survival.

For the study, researchers analysed data from 2,000 UK business decision makers between 26 March and 5 April.

The British telecommunications company has cited the end-of-decade prediction as reason enough to preemptively tackle the issue with the launch of a campaign on Monday, in accordance with the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

BT is teaming up with ex-Dragon Sarah Willingham and meditation guru Izzy Judd who released a guided audio meditation series, The Business Reboot, to help Britain’s businesses face transformation issues “head on”.Bas Burger, CEO of BT Business, said: “Today, every business is a digital business – and our research shows that the pace of change is taking its toll. Our job is to make things easier: providing the rock-solid digital foundation businesses need to thrive.

“Together with former Dragon Sarah Willingham and meditation expert Izzy Judd, we’re helping business leaders get into the headspace to make the most of the tech opportunity. Whether that’s AI, digital skills or cybersecurity, BT’s got their back.”

Mrs Willingham said: “Dealing with change and uncertainty are two of the hardest things about running a business, and I’ve always found meditation really helps with that … With all the tech challenges businesses are facing this year, I want leaders to embrace the power of mindfulness and meditation in their working lives.”

57 per cent of business leaders already practicing meditation at least once a week, and 11 per cent claim to do so daily.