What causes workplace stress today? The economy and the financial status of one’s employer are quite high on the list for many people. But, in 1998, it was new communications technologies – like the Internet.
From an article published in 1998:
The Kensington Stress & Technology in the Workplace Survey, which queried 501 adult U.S. full-time, traditional and home-office workers, uncovered new statistics on technology’s relationship to stress …
Nearly half of the workers surveyed, however, said technology increases stress, and 51 percent of them reported that the possibility of losing documents due to computer crashes causes them “a lot” or “some” stress. The demands of email and voice mail have also contributed to an overall increase in stress in the last year, according to the survey.
“Adjusting to new technologies-like the Web, networks, personal communications-that have saturated today’s workplace is creating new demands on workers, and that’s causing more stress;” said Odette Pollar, president of Oakland-based Time Management Systems and authority on stress in the workplace. “The question is how to make technology work in our favor without compromising our health and well-being.”
So, have we won? Do you think technologies today - web 2.0, the internet, smart-phones, and our multiple computers – still increase stress? Or is this no longer an appropriate question?
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Thanks for posting this. Of course, I happen to think they do.
I can even think of how Blackberry’s and iPhones have led to over access to things that the mind may need relief from. It doesn’t surprise me much that things like meditation and yoga seem to be on the rise (yes, i know this is correlation not causation) while technology use seems to increase.
Of course, other factors can be accounted for, but if we survey people whose jobs are highly dependent upon “being connected” at every given moment, or even become addicted in some way to such behavior (i.e. Facebook and video game addicts who sometimes report exhaustion from overuse) we I’m gathering they might say the more they need or use technology doesn’t make them any happier and perhaps suffer increased stress.
In fairness, some might like to suggest this also has to do with age, or what level or technology you were exposed to early on (interesting because we know that increased propensity for all kinds of behavior comes from starting young…both positive and harmful).
However, today’s NY Times reported that elderly are reporting enjoyment from things like Facebook, since it can help with feelings of loneliness that can come with age and loss of close social supports. Skype has been a huge benefit to helping previous social supports who may live on the other side of the world, be able to see each other while talking…and for free.
I think what it may come down to is how much one is dependent on technology for “work” or “life. ” Humans may not always be so reliable and flawed, but when we form a strong bond with someone, usually we know that we can count on them. Technology, by default, is bound to fail so once we form too much of a symbiotic relationship with it, you are probably at risk for trouble.