The Impact of Technology in the Workplace
Technology in the workplace remains a contentious issue, with opinions divided on whether it is a distraction or an enabler for professionals. A recent survey conducted by CV-Library sheds light on how workers perceive and utilize technology during work hours.
Key Findings
According to the survey, a majority of workers (67.4 per cent) do not use social media while at work, and those who do only spend a limited amount of time (45 per cent for up to 15 minutes). Additionally, 56.1 per cent admit to using smartphones at work, but the majority (79.8 per cent) refrain from using technology for personal tasks during work hours.
Interestingly, more than a third of workers (39.7 per cent) take time out of their workday to contact friends or family on the phone, with the majority (73.3 per cent) limiting this to a maximum of 15 minutes. Additionally, 50 per cent do not check personal emails at work, and 77.4 per cent avoid browsing irrelevant sites on the internet during work hours.
The survey also reveals that 66.4 per cent of employers have rules in place regarding personal technology use, with restrictions on phone usage (46.3 per cent), social media (22.6 per cent), and internet browsing (16.9 per cent) during work hours.
Founder and managing director of CV-Library, Lee Biggins, emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries between work and personal life. He states, “By putting simple rules in place, businesses can ensure that their staff are operating at maximum productivity during work hours, but that they are able to switch off and leave work behind at the end of the day.”
Despite the restrictions, the majority of professionals (87.3 per cent) believe that technology is beneficial in the workplace. Reasons cited include connecting with customers globally (30 per cent), real-time communication (26.2 per cent), time-saving (15.6 per cent), and the ability to work from different locations (13.7 per cent).
Biggins concludes by stressing the importance of maintaining focus while utilizing technology at work. He advises employers to monitor distractions and implement guidelines for personal technology usage to maintain productivity and promote a healthy work-life balance.
Further Reading on Social Media at Work