Impact of technology
In our modern fast-paced world of work, technology surrounds us. This can be both positive and negative. Of course, within the workplace technology has given us major advantages and made all our lives and workplaces more efficient.
Health and wellness ideas in the workplace can really be supported through the use of corporate wellness technology.
Although there are so many positive advantages that technology has added to the workplace, it can’t be ignored that technology can also have a negative effect. Technology is something for employers to be mindful of when maintaining employee health and wellness.
The amount of time people now spend on technology will influence our health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally.
There are certain areas and ideas that are important to look at improving to ensure employee health and wellness when it comes to technology in the workplace.
How Technology Affects Health and Wellness in the Workplace
Technology has a monumental effect on a person’s health and wellness. Here are some of the ways technology affects health and wellness:
Physical Health
The sedentary nature of office work can lead to various health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The use of technology has exacerbated this problem by reducing the need for physical movement.
With the use of computers, employees spend long hours sitting in one position, leading to poor posture and back pain. In addition, staring at computer screens for extended periods can also cause eyestrain and headaches.
To combat these problems, businesses should encourage employees to take short breaks, stretch, and engage in physical activity during work hours. Employers can also invest in ergonomic furniture and equipment that reduces strain on employees’ bodies.
Mental Health
The use of technology is also affecting employee mental health. In a digital world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the influx of emails, notifications, and messages.
This constant stream of information can cause stress and anxiety, leading to burnout and reduced productivity. In addition, the blurring of personal and work-life boundaries due to the advent of remote work can also lead to social isolation and loneliness.
To mitigate these challenges, businesses can consider implementing policies that promote work-life balance and encourage social interaction among employees.
Digital Addiction
Technology addiction is a growing problem in today’s workplace, with constant access to emails, social media, and other digital distractions. Employees are finding it more challenging to disconnect from work, leading to a lack of downtime and relaxation.
The constant stimulation from technology can also interfere with sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and a lack of concentration. To address this problem, businesses can consider setting clear communication boundaries and encourage employees to switch off work devices outside of work hours.
Cybersecurity Risks
As more businesses become reliant on technology, cybersecurity threats have become a major concern. A single cyber attack can cause major disruption and potentially derail a business.
In addition, data privacy concerns are also at an all-time high, with companies collecting and storing a vast amount of personal information. Employers must prioritize cybersecurity and ensure they have robust systems to protect employees’ data.
Digital Wellness Programs
The use of technology has also opened up new opportunities for promoting workplace health and wellness. Digital wellness programs are becoming increasingly popular, with businesses creating personalized programs that address individual employee’s needs.
These programs can include nutrition and exercise counseling, meditation and mindfulness apps, and access to mental health resources. Digital wellness programs can be an effective way to support employee health and wellbeing.
Work Life Balance
In a time when the employee work-life balance is at its most skewed, people are bringing work everywhere with them. The days of leaving work and switching off are starting to become rare. Between email and social networks, there is always a link to work.
Constantly being plugged in means there is no break for the average employee, answering emails at midnight or connecting with work colleagues on LinkedIn on a Saturday afternoon leaves little room for detachment.
This begs the question as to when does a personal life happens and how will this leave an employee’s health and wellness in the long run. It is more important than ever that employers should encourage employees within the workplace not to reply to any work queries outside working hours, so the employee can mentally switch off from work and relax.
Laziness
Technology across the board has made people lazy and it now takes less physical effort to do many jobs as the computer has taken over. As individuals, we all need to be constantly stimulated and learning, with reliance on technology the same personal development may be slower and resulting in a lazier workforce.
To any corporate wellness company, such an attitude and approach could be detrimental in the long run for the employee’s health. More interactions within the workplace are crucial to ensure that employees don’t become lazy and completely reliant on technology. We encourage team bonding activities or brainstorming sessions, where each team member must come up with an idea, so they are not relying solely on technology and increases brain stimulation.
Communication
From the outside, it could appear that this is the easiest time in history for communication within society and the workforce. We have endless resources at our fingertips, from email to informal chats such as Slack and Fleep.
We are communicating more than ever, although this may not be the most productive form of communication. Before technology, employees spoke to each other face to face, be in the office or over lunch having invigorating conversations. Fast forward to today and offices are now filled with people sending back and forward links for cat memes and work information.
Will these forms of communications inspire stimulating conversations and build friendships within the workplace. We encourage face to face meetings and to a to have a certain level of human interaction within the workplace every day to avoid technology becoming the only way we communicate within a company.
When examining the effects of technology, it would be simply untrue to ignore the many advantages that it has brought to the workplace. It has meant that individuals have more resources and can complete a much larger number of tasks on any given day. Technology is like anything in life, finding the balance is how it will work best for both the company and for the wellbeing of the employee.
Conclusion
Technology has many pros and cons and it is up to us to figure out what works best. Embrace the work group chats, although when it comes to 10pm on a Saturday night, be in the moment in your personal life and leave the work group chats behind.
Judging by what has become, both work and societal norms, corporate wellness programmes can change how both employees and employers approach working life and can help with finding the balance that works for you.
