HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY IMPACT THE

WORKPLACE?
The rise of technology in the workplace is no secret. Offices all over the globe have started
to use new hardware, including laptops, smartphones and interactive touchscreens, with
lots of software that compliments them. But how does technology impact the workplace –
and is technology in the workplace necessarily a good thing?

Technology impacts the workplace in lots of different fields. These include:

 Creating fluid workplaces

 Business collaboration
 Communications
 Dress Codes
 Work Ethics
 Privacy Rights
 Productivity

In this we will look at a few to assess whether technology is impacting the workplace in a
positive or negative way.

HOW HAS NEW TECHNOLOGY AFFECTED THE MODERN

WORKPLACE?

Fluid Workplaces

Information Age states that “In the 20  century, the workplace was a static, physical place”
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and that technology really has changed everything. It has enabled workspaces to become
more fluid, giving employees more freedom with not just their job, but their life.

CollaborationIt is becoming easier and easier to collaborate – even if half of the team are
remote! Interactive displays like those offered by us at Avocor are great for workplace
collaboration. People can join in discussions remotely and the displays can accurately
illustrate any ideas that contributors may have.

Communications

The workplace is flexible; it is possible to talk on the go and in lots of different places
nowadays. Applications like WhatsApp are used widely by employees, as it is becoming
more normal to be able to use individual devices for work. Undoubtedly, communication
technology is improving workplace communication. This is great for connectivity, especially
in customer service orientated businesses where customers expect a helper to be online all
the time.

Privacy Rights
Technology impacts privacy rights – there are a lot less in the workplace nowadays. It is easy
for someone’s boss to see when an employee has last been online – and in some cases,
where exactly they are. It can be argued that in work hours if the employee isn’t doing
anything wrong then they won’t get in trouble, but some bosses could take this invasion of
privacy too far.

Conclusion – what impact does technology have on society?

Technology changing workplace and society has both good and bad aspects. The most
negative impact of technology on employees is probably the fact that employees are
supposed to be online at all times, cutting into their rest and leisure time. Employee
distraction is another issue.

However, the good uses of technology, positive impact of technology, we believe, far
outweigh the bad. The tools that can be used for productivity, collaboration and
communications mean that much more can be done in the workplace, which can nowadays
be a completely different space than it was 20 years ago. Technology has helped the
definition of the workplace change and has aided many people in adopting different lifestyle
choices.

With some changes to people’s perception of what technology can be used for, the
workplace could be greatly benefited by new software and hardware. As long as businesses
are made aware that new technology does not necessarily mean that employees are
available all the time, and that privacy rights must be protected, businesses will achieve a
huge amount in the next few years with new workplace technology.