Managing tech addiction in the workplace

How you should be managing tech addiction in the workplace

On average, people touch their phones almost 3 000 times a day. This is hardly surprising given how we are exposed to technology in every facet of our lives. With this comes the risk of tech addiction, which can have a seriously negative impact on work performance, says Nicol Myburgh, Head of the HCM Business Unit at CRS Technologies.

“Some of the most common forms of tech addiction are gaming and social media. In fact, internet gaming disorder is featured in the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases. Studies show that males are generally more likely to become addicted to gaming, while females are more susceptible to social media. In many instances, the addiction does not revolve around the technology itself, but has more to do with the dopamine fix that comes with the instant gratification of moving up to the next level of a game, or receiving ‘likes’ for posts shared on social networking platforms,” he explains.

For their part, companies can formulate policies to put healthy guidelines in place around the usage of technology in the workplace and establish boundaries that will ensure a healthy working environment.

But, cautions Myburgh, they must make sure that employees adhere to these guidelines.

“Some companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, go so far as to eliminate cell phone usage during office hours, especially during meetings. This ‘forces’ employees to talk to their colleagues and interact meaningfully with one another.”

Looking beyond policy, businesses can also institute tech-free zones where cell phones and laptops are not allowed. This encourages employee interaction and reduces the time people spend looking at screens.

Consequences

“Like any other addiction, the impact of tech addiction on workforce performance is significant,” Myburgh continues. “For example, staying up all night to play games will see employees too tired to be productive at work. Similarly, spending long periods of time on social media platforms can lead to a drop in performance and even costly mistakes when people invariably become distracted.”

Another consequence of tech addiction is that more people are opting to send text messages rather than conduct a face-to-face conversation. “One has only to look at the younger generation’s lack of vital social skills because of their smartphones to see how this is impacting society’s ability to form relationships,” says Myburgh. “This is likely to worsen as children increasingly become exposed to technology at an extremely young age. Just imagine the long-term impact of replacing a baby’s rattle with a tablet or smartphone.”

Next steps

From a practical perspective, companies can consider setting up counselling sessions for affected employees and enforce stricter rules to limit technology usage when it does not form part of the core requirements of a job role.

“Even after putting all these mechanisms in place to assist employees, if the addictive behaviour continues, the company could have no choice but to charge the person with misconduct if they wilfully disobey a rule. All told, tech addiction is a very real concern in the digital world and if something is not done to curb its prevalence, it can quickly spiral out of control,” concludes Myburgh.

Article Source:  CHRO South Africa

Share the Post:

More News and Insights

Scroll to Top

Book your CRS solutions demo or consultation


By submitting this form, you agree to our terms and conditions

Software products

Simplify payroll and HR management with our comprehensive solution suite.

HR software

Reshape the employer-employee dynamic.

Payroll software

Enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Performance management software

Nurture employee development.

Integration & Security

Connect with leading ERP platforms.

Global footprint

We’re active in 35 countries.

Our services

Grow your business while we take care of your human capital.

HR outsourcing

Transform HR into a strategic asset.

Payroll outsourcing

Simplify your payroll operations.

EOR & PEO

Expand your global reach.

Support channels

We keep your payroll and HR infrastructure running smoothly.

Service desk & FAQ

Round-the-clock expert support paired with essential payroll and HR information.

HIPE4 Agreement

Global payroll and HR excellence defined.

Download resources

Leverage expert insights that steer your strategic decision-making.

Downloads

Essential resources to improve your business practices.

News & Insights

Comprehensive coverage of key payroll and HR issues.

Company overview

CRS has been pioneering payroll and HR solutions for global organisations for over 40 years.

About us

Our custom payroll and HR solutions benefit employers and employees in more than 35 countries.

Work with us

Experience an environment where creativity, collaboration and empowerment thrive.