The paradox of flexibility: Hybrid workload acceleration and its effects on employee mental strain in the IT sector

The rapid adoption of remote and hybrid work arrangements has significantly reshaped work practices in technology-driven sectors, particularly the IT industry. While flexible work models are intended to enhance autonomy and work-life balance, emerging evidence suggests that they may also intensify job demands and psychological strain. This study empirically examines the Paradox of Flexibility by analyzing how hybrid work arrangements contribute to workload acceleration, perceived constant availability, and boundary management challenges, and how these factors influence employee mental strain. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 120 IT professionals working in hybrid environments. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression techniques. The findings reveal that workload acceleration and perceived constant availability significantly increase mental strain, including stress, burnout, and cognitive fatigue, while poor boundary management further exacerbates these effects. The study also highlights the buffering role of organizational support in mitigating employee strain. The results contribute to the growing literature on technostress and provide practical implications for organizations seeking to design sustainable hybrid work policies.