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Technology in the Workplace
Addisen Sullins
Liberty University
ENGL 101 (B40): Composition and Rhetoric
Professor Elizabeth Elam
10 – 09 - 2023
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Technology in the Workplace
Introduction
Technology is a tool that has been debated for decades. All for whether it is an asset to
the workforce, as well as if it even belongs on every desk. Technology has many uses in the
workplace from communication to flexibility. This Author implores that technology’s ever-
growing infrastructure allows for constant growth in the workplace.
Communication
Technology helps bridge a gap in the workplace between coworkers by bringing up
levels of communication. Email is an essential tool for almost any job that requires memos,
reports, and standard collaboration between co-workers. Technology allows for more direct
communication between companies and their customers. The Pew Research Centre states,
“Expand the number of people outside of their company they communicate with—51% of
these internet-using workers say this.” Technology is not only heavily used for
communication in the workforce, but also in everyday society. Anyone who does not
recognize this is sure to fall behind in whichever industry they are in.
TechnologyEducation.org has a great article about technology and its uses in communication.
The article starts by explaining why communication is such an integral part of modern
society. There are four major points given. The first one is that technology allows people to
have more access to proper communication. The second is that time is no longer a
communication issue when it comes to technology. Third, the transferability between devices
makes communication more efficient. Lastly, there are more platforms for virtual
communication constantly being prepared to better help everyone. An exemplary example of
a workplace that uses technology for communication daily is Liberty University. This paper is
currently being written for their online learning program. Without my computer, I would not
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be able to contact my teacher about lessons or receive feedback. In this instance, technology
is not only important for a workplace but also a place of learning.
Productivity
Technology allows workers to execute tasks quicker than ever, therefore bringing up
levels of productivity. With the aid of technology, time-consuming and generally difficult
tasks are made easier. Therefore, the tasks are finished quicker allowing for more time to
work on other tasks. For example, an accountant in the late 1900’s would have had to rely
heavily on paper to do their job. The filing of said paper takes time to do manually, as well as
pulling the file to fill it out. One stack of paperwork for a withdrawal may take up to an hour
and a half to complete all the necessary steps. Verse an account in 2023 can typically be done
in as little as twenty minutes. The ability to type in the information as the client tells it to you,
and file it in the same place takes up much less time. Some banks even have systems that
automatically file them in the client’s file. With the daily tasks made easier and quicker,
productivity shoots up. This motivates the employee to work more hours in their productive
state. The Pew Research Centre states, “Increase the amount of hours they work—35% of
online workers say this.” There are statistics for how many workers feel that they are more
productive as well. The Pew Research Centre states, “Just 7% of working online adults feel
their productivity has dropped because of the internet, email, and cell phones, while 46% feel
more productive.” A mere 35% and 46% may not seem high enough to constitute a positive
change. However, that percentage could stand for thousands to even millions of people in the
workforce. That’s a lot of people who can inspire others to get on the bandwagon as well and
skyrocket that percentage.
Flexibility
Technology allows for more flexibility in the workforce from working from home to
more personal days that do not clash with work productivity. Technologyeducation.org states,
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“Another advantage to technology-facilitated communication is that people are no longer
confined to communicating in specific places or during certain times of the day.” With the
ability to be more productive when you work, and not being confined to certain places/hours,
one could spend more time with family. A good work-life balance is important in any job. It
is proven to help improve mood and therefore productivity. The Pew Research Centre states,
“Allow them more flexibility in the hours they work—39% of online workers say this.” This
statistic is also only from online workers. One could only imagine if the statistic was more
widespread to include in-person workers as well. Shockingly, only 39% of online/work-from-
home employees feel they have more flexibility with their schedules. However, their work-
life balance could be offset by there being no division between their home space and
workspace.
Opposition
Many people prefer the old-fashioned way when it comes to technology despite the
mountains of statistics and benefits. A perfect example of the opposition would be the article
“Designing Work Environments for Digital Wellbeing”. Paragraph 5 of the article makes the
point that “being always on” is a symbol today. Technology has given us flexibility with
always being available. However, the article states that this disrupts breaks and leads to
burnout. The article includes statistics from the American Psychological Association, “53
percent of Americans work over the weekend, 52 percent work outside designated work
hours, and 54 percent work even when sick.” and ends with the statement that flexibility only
leads to more work hours. However, this author argues that the problem of proper work-life
balance for some should not have to affect the whole. More statistics are stating the benefits
of the flexibility that technology brings to the table. The statistic the article uses is not one
you should even use to argue against technology. For example, of the 53% that work over the
weekend, some of them do not have a choice because of financial situations. That is hardly
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technology in the workplace’s fault. If anything, it helps them be more efficient at their jobs
to make working those needed hours easier, or even help them get a raise. Deloitte Insights
states, “Meeting organizers often choose to err on the side of inclusion, minimizing the risk
of leaving someone out; and the average worker often chooses to attend it for fear of missing
out on something important.” This instance is a user error and something that the people
themselves should address. Also, it cannot be seen how more people being in meetings and
feeling the need to attend is a problem. Therefore, it is not even really a user error. Just an
error in how the quote tries to downplay the benefits of technology.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology allows people to grow into better workers. From the ability
to communicate with co-workers, clients, and the community better. To the increase in
productivity brought on by more manageable tasks. Then the flexibility of the ability to work
anywhere anytime in some jobs. Although some may disapprove, as a collective it is our job
to realize an advantage when it is shown. Reach out, grasp it, and hold on for hopes that it
will help you like it did others.
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References
Author, N. (2020, May 30). Technology’s Impact on Workers | Pew Research Center. Pew
Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/12/30/technologys-impact-on-workers/
Positive technology. (n.d.). Deloitte Insights.
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/behavioral-economics/negative-
impact-technology-business.html
Technologyeducation_Admin. (2021). Why Communication Is Easier than Ever with
Technology. Technology Education.
https://www.technologyeducation.org/communication-easier-with-technology/
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