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By Jamal Khawaja
How to Mitigate Technology-Related Stress
Technology-related stress is an issue for all organizations that seek to leverage technology toward maximizing productivity. A variety of mechanisms have been determined that will assist in the mitigation of this type of stress.
Job-design methods are a critical part of technology-stress management. The various stresses in the current marketplace are not static, nor are the individuals that deal with these fluctuating factors. Consequently, an occupation-centric structural philosophy that allows dynamic growth and is aligned with market trends is essential for the mitigation of stress. Job functions should parallel individual aptitudes and abilities. This dynamic will allow workers to employ diverse skills and technical competencies, decreasing their stress level and reliance upon a single technology, as well as avoiding an environment where they must use the same technologies and processes over and over again.
Alternative work arrangements are another consideration for the mitigation of technology stress. It is possible to harness and leverage technology as a tool to mitigate technology stress. A common example of this would be telecommuting. This process allows employees to work from their own home; it provides relief from a variety of stress factors. Technology is no longer an enemy; it empowers the employee to implement job requirements from the comfort of home.
Similarly, flexible working hours can be used to alleviate technology stress. Many employees are responsible for time-critical or mission-critical projects; delaying an existing problem can be unacceptable. Other jobs are needs based, and requests in the middle of the night to come into the office are common. Flexible working hours moderate the amount of stress that these individuals endure because of their responsibilities to the technology or their job. Many companies have realized this as a viable method of stress diminution.
Ethics are another significant consideration in the management of technology-related stress. Management must consider the ethical implications of technology and how they relate to stress in the workplace. A comprehensive policy should detail the corporate guidelines regarding e-mail retention, acceptable applications for technology, and standards that employees must conform to. Employees that are in ethically questionable circumstances will experience stress mitigation through corporate policy guidance. Furthermore, employees who use technology for personal use can subject their coworkers to stress, particularly when offensive material is viewed or displayed.
Workplace stress has always been a principal consideration for organizations that seek to foster an environment where employees are satisfied and motivated. The advent of technology has only served to further complicate the management of stress factors in the workplace. However, the tools that have been developed by experts provide a powerful means for the management of this stress. With a clear understanding of the factors that create technology stress, managers are in a position to architect solutions that will cultivate a more positive, stress-free environment-one that will serve to keep their employees in high spirits and their productivity on the rise.
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