IT blamed for killer stress levels

Technology is stressing everyone out, according to research by Kensington Technology Group. Systems crashes, data loss, email and voicemail systems were among the main culprits cited.

"Adjusting to new technologies -- like the Web, networks, personal communications -- that have saturated today's workplace is creating new demands on workers, and that's causing more stress," said Odette Pollar, president of Time Management Systems.

"The question is, how to make technology work in our favour without compromising our health and well-being." The survey queried 501 adult workers, from traditional office workers to telecommuters. Around half said that technology had increased their stress levels. As well as costing companies an estimated $750 per employee per year, 57 per cent of respondents said that stress at work had impacted their personal lives in some way.

However, 63 per cent of people said that stress was just something they had to deal with. Kensington Technology says that the solution is to optimise the work environment. Although four out of five employers think disorganised people have more stress in their lives, only one in four had acted to improve organisation in the office.

"This survey shows that it is equally critical to the employer and employee that workspaces be designed to support a high degree of organisation, comfort and personalisation," said Tom Russo, vice president of sales at Kensington. Fortunate then that Kensington provide goods and services to address just this kind of problem. ® <