Technology in the workplace overwhelmed 41 percent of the working population – derStandard.at

41 per cent of employed Austrians feel overwhelmed by the technological development in the workplace. This emerges from a study presented on Tuesday. Although 85 percent of respondents like to work with technical equipment, my 62 percent that jobs are destroyed by technology.

interested but ambivalent behavior

“The human being is fundamentally interested in technology, there are but an ambivalent behavior, “said study author Peter Hajek from pollster Public Opinion Strategies. On behalf of Ricoh 1,000 working or in training Austrians 16-60 years online were in October 2015 questioned.

Technology is perceived by 77 percent of respondents as a relief in everyday office life, yet increasingly this also for 57 percent of respondents to the work and time pressure. 71 percent of 16- to 29-year-olds and 68 percent of 40- to 60-year-olds describe themselves as interested in technology and 85 percent work very or quite happy with technical equipment. However, 50 percent of Austrian professionals also have fears associated with technological development.

“This polarization phenomenon, there were 30 years ago,” confirmed Professor Christian Korunka, Head of the Chair of Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Vienna. “For decades we observe an acceleration in the working world. Technology is the driving force behind this acceleration processes.” That could well go too fast and thus ensure uncertainty, so the scientists.

enrollment expected

In order to combat this insecurity, is 77 percent expect an enrollment of employers in new equipment in Office. “One does not like to be left with technology alone,” adds Hajek added. Help Take The Austrian workers, especially in personal contacts, preferably with colleagues or co-workers or in the private sphere. Manufacturer hotlines are a solution only for 1 percent of respondents.

Michael Raberger, CEO of Ricoh, sees in the numbers a “clear work order to Ricoh and other companies,” especially in the direction of personalized training.

“Technology should not be used as an end in itself,” says Raberger, but as a “companion.” Training should cover the existing work processes and integrate the functions of the devices in the specific work steps. Also individualized instruction manuals are not yet convinced a good approach.

Home Office is not enforced

Also new office forms. Only 17 percent of respondents said mobile or working from home. Home-Office “picks up structures and puts the responsibility on the person who is required to take care of the structures,” analyzed Korunka. “People need a more or less structured environment. If that is broken, it can trigger uncertainty.”

For Hajek also still missing again more individualized accompaniment on the part of firms. “It’s always the man who” noticed the pollsters. “The technology is there.” (APA, 12.1.2016)