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Tech training can worsen burnout for older workers, study finds
A survey of 361 workers aged 55 to 80 found burnout lowered perceived work ability, which was tied to stronger retirement intentions.
Human resources leaders may need to rethink how they roll out workplace technology, as a Canadian dissertation found that tech training intensified burnout for older employees rather than easing it, according to Insurance Business.
The study, completed in October 2025 by Judah I. Adeniyi at Memorial University of Newfoundland, used a second phase survey of 361 workers aged 55 to 80, and tested how burnout and perceived work ability connect technological change to retirement intentions.
The dissertation found no significant direct link between perceived technological change and burnout, but it did find burnout significantly associated with lower perceived work ability, and lower work ability associated with stronger retirement intentions.
In testing possible ways to buffer burnout, only technological training showed a statistically significant effect and it moved in the opposite direction than expected, while organizational justice and computer self-efficacy did not show statistically significant moderation. Adeniyi recommended treating training as an intervention requiring thoughtful design and delivery, including self-paced modules, peer support, and involving older workers in co-designing training content.