Increased productivity, or increased stress?
New findings by GfK NOP show that, although modern workers are embracing technology right now, there is evidence that the pace of change is risking a divided workforce. This situation presents significant challenges for policy makers and business leaders, creating a need to ensure the workforce is adequately trained and can manage the increased pressure and stress levels of working in an ever-connected environment.

Teleconferencing, BlackBerries, smartphones and, now, tablet computers mean it has never been easier to be in contact with the office. As technological advances alter the way we work, a debate has emerged between those that stress the unhealthy blurring of the boundaries between work and personal lives, and those that see technology as empowering the modern worker to fit their career around other demands on their time.

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The 21st century worker’s ‘love affair’ with technology
A recent GfK NOP survey shows that 60% of workers think technology helps them to do their job better, and just under half (47%) say that it has a positive impact on their work-life balance. Only 7% said it had a negative impact.

The positive benefits driving these perceptions include technology’s power to help workers organise their time better and communicate more effectively with colleagues, with 43% of workers feeling that technology makes them more productive at work. The cumulative result of these benefits is that just over half (52%) of workers agree that technology empowers them in their job. Not only is technology cool, it also helps working people get things done.

High earners have highest appreciation of technology

“High earners attraction to technology can be explained in one word – flexibility.”

Unsurprisingly, it is high-earners in London that appear most positive towards our ever-connected world. They, more than most, need to be in constant contact with colleagues and the latest market news, and devices such as the BlackBerry or iPad make this possible. Some would consider this ever-connectedness to work to be a burden, but the attraction of technology to these busy executives can be summed up in one word – flexibility.

For high earning households , 62% think technology allows them to be more productive at work (compared to 43% for the overall population) and 7 out of 10 claim that technology’s ability to let them work occasionally from home has a positive impact on their work-life balance. This flexibility gives a sense of control, leading 72% of high earners to say that the technology they use at work makes them ‘feel more empowered in their job’ (compared to just over half of the overall working population).

The disaffected minority
So far, it looks like the 21st century love affair with technology is continuing unabated. But there is a sizeable minority who are fearful of the role technology will play in their future careers. We are seeing some senior executives struggling with the pressure of always being on call, as well as low paid workers worrying that their lack of technological knowledge will threaten future job prospects. Added to that, some middle management workers worry that future changes in technology could threaten their existing job, piling more stress on top of current job insecurity and the extended retirement age.

The struggle to switch off

“One in four workers say technology at work means their work life disrupts their personal life.”

Even amongst the largely favourable higher management, some admit that technology means they struggle to switch off. 38% of those in higher management positions surveyed admit technology makes them feel they ‘have never really left work’, and one in four say technology means their work life often disrupts their personal life.

This sets a new challenge for policy makers; Bupa estimates that 1 in 6 UK workers consider their job very or extremely stressful, and ranks work place stress as one of the key causes of sick leave. Ever-connected workers need clear guidance on when and how to switch off from work, in an era where the boundaries are often unclear.

The struggle to keep up

“A quarter of workers fear their lack of skills in technology will damage their future job prospects.”

As some worry about being able to switch off, others worry about being left behind. Overall, a quarter of workers fear that advances in technology may threaten their current job in the future, and this rises to 40% for those earning less than £14,000, and 35% for semi or unskilled workers. The actual numbers involved are likely to be much bigger, when factoring in the unemployed too. Businesses and Government face a clear need to provide training programmes, both inside and outside of the workplace.

Conclusion
The majority of workers currently feel comfortable in our ever-connected business world and think that technological advances help them to juggle competing priorities of work and home life well. However, some find it hard to switch off, which is having a negative effect on their work-life balance – and ultimately, therefore, on their long-term productivity at work.

In addition, it should not be assumed that the workforce is advancing as technology advances. There is a significant number who admit to a fear of being left behind in their careers, due to their lack of knowledge of technology and the rate at which it is developing.

Policy makers and business leaders face significant challenges, to ensure an adequately trained workforce that can manage the increased pressure and stress levels of working in an ever-connected environment.

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Tags: 21st Century Workforce, Business Leaders, e-readers, Employees, Job Security, Productivity, Smartphones, Tablet PC, technology, Workplace