In order to be a healthy, happy place to work, and a sustainable business in our 24/7 connected world, making sure your staff are digitally well is imperative.
Inboxes pinging, live chats streaming, social media and news notifications coming through, the mind of the modern-day desk-based worker is very different to that of their pre-smartphone and email predecessors. Digital technology has brought so much benefit to working lives, but when not well managed it can become a toxic cause of stress and impact our ability to do our best work, our sleep, relationships and our mental health. These days digital technology is a necessary fabric of most people’s lives. Rarely out of arm’s reach, our smartphones in particular are capable of more than we ever thought possible.
This technology has had a huge impact on the way businesses operate. Many employees are maximising the opportunity for flexible working as a result of mobile technology – and during the Coronavirus pandemic our digital devices have been vital to allow us to keep working from home, connect with colleagues and loved ones, home school our children and stay fit and entertained.
The flip side of agile working for many is increasingly a culture where people feel the need to be accessible around the clock – resulting in a fragile workforce.
And constant connectivity means many these days experience digital overwhelm and overload which adds to life’s stresses and making it impossible to focus. Social media, newsfeeds and other apps are interrupting the working day and employees are struggling with having proper breaks to recharge and refocus away from screens.
These amazing devices we all own are meant to make our lives easier, simpler, less stressful. But do they?
More and more evidence is coming out that shows that being over-connected can have a profoundly negative impact on wellbeing and productivity. Some of Silicon Valley’s leading lights, including Tristan Harris and Sean Parker have spoken out calling for the sector to increase their accountability around the negative impacts the technology is having on us all.
Now is the time for businesses to start to look at healthy tech management to ensure their staff know how to manage their screen time in their work and personal time.
As a result of the work we do at Shine Offline and the people we meet we know that many are feeling out of control. The vast majority who experience our learning report that they need guidance and support when it comes to the management of their time on and offline, and practical skills and tips on how to do this.
We know that by empowering people to improve their digital wellbeing they can reclaim the pause in their day and free themselves from the shackles of being constantly connected.