Whether workers love or loathe modern technology, it is undeniable that it has transformed the face of business irrevocably and sometimes unrecognisably. Devices such as mobile phones, email and Blackberries were originally intended to save time and improve productivity. It is now difficult to imagine doing business without them. Yet most human resources professionals involved with appraisals across many different levels of employees have heard time and time again about how workers often feel unable to get on with their work because of modern technology.
The Institute of Leadership & Management has recently polled 1,300 managerial staff about issues relating to modern technology. The results have revealed that managers are now the recipients of 40 more emails every day than they did in 2001. 5% of these managers receive an additional 100 emails more per day than they did 10 years ago. Those issued with company Blackberries and mobile phones often find their stress levels sky rocketing, as they are constantly contactable, both during working hours and outside them. Many stoic managers take the stance they that they are in the kitchen because they can stand the heat. Others suffer with resultant unacceptable stress levels and increased workloads that can equate to corporate contraventions of employment law.
Therefore, it is important that human business owners and their human resources representatives have keen eyes for distinguishing between workplace moaning and genuine cases of stress and unacceptable working hours that need to be sensibly addressed. Failure to do so can result in employment tribunal action being instigated by staff that feel their unreasonable workloads are posing threats to their health an well being.
At NorthgateArinso, we provide employment law and human resource services to ensure that this does not happen. Besides advising businesses about their adherence to employment law, we also offer professional human resources guidance about redressing the grievances of staff members that are genuinely suffering with workplace related stress.
