The psychological costs of algorithmic control: Stress, detachment failure and work-life conflict

Algorithmic control (AC) embedded in food-delivery platforms is conceptualized as a persistent, digitally mediated job demand associated with greater algorithmic stress (AS) and psychological detachment failure (PDF), thereby contributing to work-life conflict (WLC) among food-delivery workers. The study employed a two-wave time-lagged longitudinal design involving 315 employees from prominent Indian cities. It examined the relationships among AC, AS, PDF and WLC. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to assess the measurement model and the proposed structural relationships among the constructs. The findings indicate that AC is positively associated with heightened stress and reduced ability to disengage from work during non-work hours. The specific sequential indirect effect of AC on WLC through AS and PDF was significant, while the direct association between AC and WLC remained significant, indicating partial sequential mediation. The findings highlight the importance of reducing uncertainty surrounding algorithmic evaluations, ratings and incentives that can keep work-related concerns active after working hours and hinder psychological detachment.