Technology has touched all areas of human life, from health, transport, communication, and work environment. The good thing is, technology has positively impacted these areas for the better.
After the COVID 19 pandemic hit the world, the internet and technology played a major role in ensuring businesses and companies survive the hard times. While there are negative effects, we could say that technology has made work easier. Here are some ways technology has changed our workplaces.
How Has Technology Affected the Workplace?
1. Location
Technology has come to show many of us that there is no need for a workplace. People can effectively work from home. This was evident during the lockdown due to the pandemic. Workers were able to coordinate and work from different parts of the world.
If a company embraces the work from home policy, workers can save time and money because they don’t have to commute. Additionally, a company can hire from anywhere globally because the distance is no longer a challenge.
On the downside, if a team comprises people from different time zones and cultures, planning things like meetings could be challenging because of time differences. What’s more, finding ways to marry different cultures online can be a huge challenge.
2. Employer Liability
It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that employees are safe in their places of work. Working away from the office begs the question of what workers comp covers in Virginia or your home state? Is the employer still liable for damages suffered by employees when working from home online?
Employers are used to compensating for physical injuries sustained in the workplace, but now they have to deal with cybercrimes. Cyberbullying is worse than physical office harassment because people hide behind fake accounts.
If an employee is bullied online by workmates, the company should take action against those involved and compensate the victim for damages caused.
3. Speed and Efficiency
With technology, workers are more productive than before. Automated manufacturing machines make the process easier and effective because of reduced human error.
Activities like sending messages, payments, and sending proposals which used to take hours, are now automated.
The downside of the use of machines and technology is that it creates unemployment. If you were employed to keep files, your services would no longer be needed because data is now stored in computers.
4. Communication
Before the internet, employees used to communicate over the telephone, mail, or face to face. With the internet, communication happens via emails, instant messaging, and video conferencing, which is more effective.
However, the internet has reduced the physical touch among employees, and for some, they cannot get off work even when at home because the work messages keep on beeping.
5. Working Hours
Before technology, employees were required to report to work from 9 to 5, five days a week. Technology has changed this narrative completely. Workers can now choose the best time to work as long as deadlines and expectations are met.
If you are a night person, you can now handle your tasks at night. This flexibility has created a work-life balance. Parents don’t have to miss sports day because they are working. They can wake up early, finish their work, and happily attend their child’s sports day.
Companies Should Embrace Technology
While some challenges come with technology, it is beneficial to companies and employees. Companies that have not embraced technology are missing a lot.
What’s more, companies should use technology not only to send work-related notifications, but also as a way to motivate employees. Once in a while, motivate your employees with a thank you message. Also, educate them on healthy working habits like avoiding work emails outside office hours.
