information overload (information overload) refers to the insight that people can only process a certain amount of information. When too much becomes too much depends not only on the person – for example on their experience and motivation – but can also be influenced by the type and origin of the information: too many emails are mentioned here again and again. Time pressure when processing information or the organizational structure also have an influence.
Possible consequences of information overload range from lower job satisfaction to making poor decisions to psychological and physical stress.
A selection of solution strategies: write fewer emails in companies and clarify more in personal meetings; Use AI agents to filter information and create summaries; Only answer emails within working hours; It is better to search for information yourself than to have push notifications sent to you; Block time for breaks in the working day and create a clear separation between work and private life. Study authors point out that even things that can be changed on a personal level must receive support in the company.
Would you like to find out more about this topic? Then read the experience report from a tax advisor from Lower Bavaria about information overload at work “I have to know everything”.
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