How Has the Increased Use of Technology Impacted Workplace Stress?

Workplace stress costs corporations hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenue each year, and the United Nations called workplace stress an "epidemic" in 1992, according to Ron Ball of TMCnet. While technology is meant to increase productivity, it also leads to an increase in workplace stress levels. However, both employers and employees must work to reduce the impact of technology on stress.

Impact

Workload is the biggest source of stress for most workers, and the increasing use of technology contributes to that because it sometimes forces workers to increase production and take on longer hours, according to Rebecca Maxon of Farleigh Dickinson University. Airline pilots, for example, constantly serve a greater amount of people and deal with more traffic and complex planes as time goes on. Technology allows companies to eliminate some jobs, which causes stress over fears of job loss. People who keep their jobs must receive extra training and take on more responsibility.

Considerations

The increased use of technology in the workplace raises stress levels because workers can and sometimes must communicate with their employers and customers away from the job site. Cellphones, for instance, allow employees to take calls from their bosses at home, and some technology workers have to answer emails no matter where they are. A 2006 survey by SkillSoft found IT specialists had the most stressful occupation.

Effects

Increased levels of stress in workers lead to high absenteeism rates and higher health care costs. The most pertinent health effects of stress are higher rates of cardiovascular disease, back and upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders, depression and burnout. A stressed worker is more likely to have a workplace injury than a less stressed one. Suicide, cancer and ulcers are suspected effects of stress, but not firmly associated with it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tip

The American Psychological Association suggests that workers turn off their cellphones and limit the use of email when they get home from work. Employees should let their employers and any other pertinent parties know when they can take calls. Employees should look for warning signs of high stress levels, such as self-medication through smoking, drinking and comfort eating. Employers usually offer counselors onsite or pay for counseling to deal with stress. Workers also should talk to management about reducing the stress of the work environment, such as installing ergonomic technology.

References

• TMCnet.com; Workplace Stress Sucks $300 Billion Annually From Corporate Profits; Ron Ball; November 2004
• Farleigh Dickinson University; Stress in the Workplace: A Costly Epidemic; Rebecca Maxon
• InfoWorld; Tech Jobs Take Stress to Whole New Levels; David L. Margulius; May 2006
• Kensington; Kensington Technology Group Survey Reveals Office Employees Feel the Impact of More Stress On-The-Job; August 1999
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STRESS...At Work
• American Psychological Association: Overwhelmed by Workplace Stress? You're Not Alone.