technology
Looking Up
HOW EMPLOYERS CAN COMBAT TECH ADDICTION
While the science of tech addiction is still up for
debate, there’s no doubt the obsession with screens
is real. Most users can barely survive 12 minutes
without checking their smartphones, and devices
have become the glue that holds our lives together – so much so
that companies are releasing new features aimed at reversing the
problem they caused.
These digital products are meticulously engineered to steal your
attention and keep you coming back for more. This also extends
to the workplace as technology becomes more ingrained in every-day
tasks, creating an expectation that we are always connected to
the office. The result of this “always-on” mentality is counterpro-ductive
– not only is it bad for employee wellbeing, but employees
experiencing burnout are also less productive.
As workplaces continue to embrace technology, employers have a
responsibility to combat tech addiction and empower their employ-ees
to disconnect. While there’s no singular approach, there are some
steps employers can take to combat tech addiction in the workplace.
CORPORATE WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Incorporating formal wellness programs allows an organization
to demonstrate that they’re serious about encouraging employees
to disconnect. Corporate wellness programs are not one size fits
all – the best are designed to align with specific employee needs
and company resources – though all should be accessible at a reg-ular
cadence. For example, one organization might offer onsite
10-minute massage services three days a week where employees
are encouraged to step away from their computers and take a short
By Michael Serbinis
viewapart / 123RF Stock Photo
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