The workplace has changed quite a bit since its inception many years ago. With technology advancing at a breakneck speed, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the changes occurring around us. It is also difficult to determine what effects these changes have on our daily lives and work.
With that said, we will focus this article solely on how advances in computer science and engineering have influenced the way we live and perform our jobs as professionals.
We will look at some examples of technological advancements used for good (helping employees do their job more efficiently) and bad (taking away from employee productivity). We will then discuss why using tech tools can be detrimental to your career.
To make the most out of this article, you should have a basic understanding of computers. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should know enough to recognize what apps are and how they function.
Employees are less restricted
As technology has advanced, so have our work environments. Gone are the days when you had to physically be at your desk during the workday. You can now do whatever you want as long as you’re connected to the internet via WiFi or cellular phone signal.
You can also stay connected through various apps designed to aid in business communication and productivity. Many employers even let employees use their own smartphone applications instead of having them get their own device with software installed.
In fact, some companies even require employees to keep working away while they sleep because they find it is more efficient than staying awake until late to return from home.
Not only does this help save time, but it can increase employee engagement since workers enjoy using the equipment they already have. What’s more, people usually feel better about themselves when they recognize how well they handle responsibility.
Employees are more productive
As technology has become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it makes sense that it would now be used in the workplace for better or worse. On the negative side, there have been constant reports of overworked employees who spend most of their time chasing down software to help them get the job done.
There was a famous YouTube video where an employee could be heard complaining about how much time she had to spend at work due to all of the tools and resources she needed to use to do her job.
This creates a situation where people are spending too much time being distracted by tech instead of actually doing what they were hired to do, which is to produce results. It also deprives other departments of important information that they need to complete their jobs effectively.
In addition to these cost savings, studies show that using technology can boost productivity and efficiency. This gives workers more time to focus on other things like answering the phone or coming up with new ideas.
It also allows them to accomplish less tasks because everything is easily accessible through apps, websites, and desktop programs.
These benefits only increase as technology becomes even more advanced. Newer technologies strive to make working faster, easier, and more efficient so that you don’t have to.
Employees are less likely to get distracted
As we know, technology has become integral in our daily lives. It is hard to survive without it, as most of us depend on it for work, school, social media, and more.
With all this reliance, there’s a growing risk that you will be exposed to too much information, equipment, or software used by your organization.
This can cause distractions, which are not good if you want to focus on doing one thing at a time. Plus, these things take up space in your office and resources in terms of electricity or data plans.
Distractions also have negative effects like lower productivity and mental stress. All of these add up when done frequently over an extended period of time.
So what can employers do to reduce tech-related workplace distractions? Here are some tips.
Employees are able to work on their own terms
As technology has improved, so have workers’ ability to perform their jobs effectively outside of the workplace. You can now work remotely, which was not possible even five years ago. This is especially helpful for professionals who need to keep up with deadlines and clients that require only casual interaction.
By giving you greater freedom in how you manage your time, this can help you focus more on achieving your career goals.
There are many ways to achieve this including using video chat as well as communication apps such as Slack or Teams. By being accessible at any time, these tools give you the opportunity to be productive when and where you want!
Another way to use remote working equipment is through voice-only calls. Rather than having both parties type things out, they simply talk over the phone or via software. This cuts down on wasted time waiting for response and saving money for businesses by cutting overhead costs.
Employees are more engaged
Over the past few years, there has been a dramatic shift in the way we work. More and more of us have access to technology at all times, and it is having an ever-increasing positive effect on our productivity, engagement, and morale.
As we know, employee engagement is one of the most important factors in shaping your company’s success. When employees feel motivated and valued, they will go beyond what needs to be asked of them, which can mean increased productivity and quality of work.
It also raises staff morale, as people who feel appreciated tend to do better their jobs. And when workers share in the rewards of their efforts, trust builds!
Technology makes working easier by reducing the need for human interaction or even replacing it completely. For example, instead of talking face-to-face with colleagues about an idea, you can simply send them a message or chat with them online.
Instead of meeting in person to discuss project deadlines, you can hold virtual meetings using software such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. This shifts the responsibility for keeping everyone informed onto tools that have been designed to facilitate communication and collaboration.
Furthermore, since so much of today’s workload is digital, many employers offer paid time off for logged-off computer systems or smart phones. This removes the pressure to use devices during nonwork hours, and gives you time to focus exclusively on business projects while still getting some respite from workplace responsibilities.
Employees are more creative
As technology has become increasingly accessible, employers have been able to give their employees whatever tools they need to do their jobs effectively. This includes access to social media sites, productivity apps, and other software that can be used for work or for your personal life.
By offering such resources, you not only help your employee grow as an individual, but also promote teamwork by encouraging collaboration.
Research shows that having easy access to technology helps create a supportive environment at work. It also means less stress for workers because they do not have to look for equipment or use limited computer facilities to get things done.
Furthermore, it gives them something they can easily access to succeed.
Employees are happier at work
Over the last few decades, we have seen an unprecedented level of employment happiness in this country. People are working less hours, earning higher paychecks, and attending to their personal lives outside of work.
This has been accompanied by rising employee productivity and engagement. We’ve got more out of them — and thus, the company gets more done – than ever before.
And while there is no one quick fix for workplace stress, employers can make things better by creating a culture that values employees and gives them space to grow.
We live in such a connected world with constant exposure to both positive and negative messages about life and career. These exposures matter!
Forty percent of Americans agree with the statement “In today’s society, people use technology as a tool to find ways to complain about everything.” If you’re in the 30% minority who disagrees, maybe it’s time to reevaluate how you use social media and other tools to communicate at work.
It’s also important to recognize that not everyone experiences stress in the same way. For some, changing assignments or responsibilities may be much harder to do than others.
Finding effective solutions to reduce stress will depend on your job role and what feels like pressure to you. But making changes to improve the workplace environment is always a good thing.
Employees are less likely to be demoted
A few years ago, there was a lot of talk about how technology is making us too dependent. People were worried that we would become addicted to our phones and screens, developing work-life imbalance as a result.
This conversation seems to have died down lately, though. More and more studies are finding that using technology at work can actually help you retain your position.
It’s becoming increasingly common for employers to offer their employees mobile devices and open access to company apps. This way, they don’t need to worry about losing out on important information because someone else took it away or corrupted it.
By giving people what they ask for, you’re reducing the chances they will use something else instead. It also helps ensure that no one loses vital knowledge when they leave the company!
Another benefit of this approach is that it encourages staff members to stay connected with colleagues and get involved in internal projects. Using technology makes it easier to do so.
