Are computers making us work longer hours?
Computers were meant to be time savers. And they are. You can do heaps more with a computer than without. 25 years ago, offices had typing pools. Nowadays most people, even managers and executives, type their own letters - at least in first draft.
And therein is the problem computers have created.
Computers have enabled us to take on what used to be other people’s jobs. A great cost saving to business, but to get this extra work done has meant working longer hours.
One person is now able to do the work of two in less time. So where two people worked 80 hours to get the work done, now one person can do it in 50 hours.
And hence the average office worker is working up to 10 hours a week extra unpaid overtime.
Thank you computers.
computerstechnologystress
Chris,
I can’t say that I agree with this argument. Productivity, in my opinion, has increased significantly with the ever expanding reach of the digital world. What occurs then is that as menial tasks are added time is shaved in other areas due only to the power of computers. This allows exec’s to now spend time writing their own letters, or firing off their own e-mails because, come on, who writes letters anymore?
Do you see where I’m coming from?
G’day Jon-Michael. I thanks for commenting.
I don’t disagree with the productivity of computers, but that - because of computers - one person is now doing the job of two or three and it’s taking longer than 40 hours.
In fact, I heard a stat this week that people are on average working 10 hours a week longer than their counterparts of the 60s and 70s.
My theory is that computers have contributed to those longer hours in the way I’ve outlined.
PS yeah - you might be right about the letters.