New research has shown that the abundance of tools, software and gadgets intended to make employees more productive is leading to poor etiquette.
According to new research, the overabundance of electronic devices for collaboration, social networking and communication tools designed to make it easy to complete work-related tasks is leading to rudeness at the office and at home. The study of 1,140 UK workers[1] found that:
David Lavenda, vice president of product strategy at harmon.ie said:
“It would appear that we have a classic case of double standards in the workplace, with 82% complaining about other peoples’ tendencies to disrupt proceedings by answering a mobile phone, tweeting, sending an instant message, responding to emails or even just updating their social status.
“Yet, rather ironically, 70%? of those that rudely interrupt meetings themselves would be offended if someone did the same thing to them. Clearly, the perceived pressure to stay connected has led many people to neglect their manners.”
The study also found that communication and social tools are encroaching on people’s personal lives, with survey respondents reporting:
A third of survey respondents said they fear they will lose their competitive edge if they disconnect from their inbox for 30 minutes or less, and 20% felt in danger of losing the upper hand over their careers when cut off from email for just five minutes. Yet all this connectivity doesn’t generate greater productivity, as a third of employees are interrupted at least every 15 minutes. After each distraction, it can take another 20 minutes to regain focus and return to the task at hand.
Two thirds of businesses have adopted strategies to reduce digital distractions and boost productivity in the workplace. Specifically:
Lavenda adds “This survey confirms that employees, having to peruse an ever-increasing array of communication tools to stay ahead in their professional life, are struggling to keep their personal and work life separate. But the challenge remains how to streamline these communication tools, and encourage people to take control over their devices’ on/off switches, to regain civility and control over their lives. New tools and strategies are beginning to appear that help workers cope with these pressures, and that is encouraging.”
Article sourced from: http://apbusinesscontacts.com/the_people_bulletin-pb_5/digital_disrespect.aspx