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I should love to hear your views on the subject......

Does modern technology shorten or lengthen working hours?

From the lens The impact of technology on work- life balance.

  • ScottiesRock May 21, 2012 @ 7:27 am | delete
    I am not sure. While I love technology and my world thrives on it. I find that I am a slave to it as well.
  • al9166 May 17, 2012 @ 12:37 pm | delete
    Yes modern technology shorten the working hours and give us lots time to do more thing especially more time with our family while work from internet..
  • JoyfulReviewer Apr 28, 2012 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    Technology has allowed us to do more ... and do it faster. The division between work and non-work has become blurred by technology gadgets. We've become so reliant on technology that it can easily engulf our lives. It's up to each person to decide when and where to draw the line when "enough is enough". Enjoyed your thought-provoking lens. ~~Blessed~~
  • thepreschooltoolbox Apr 25, 2012 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    Technology has opened a new era, but the expectations that come along with increased technology have some negative consequences. It's like the invention of the washing machine. Yes, we could DO laundry more efficiently than rubbing on stones in the creek:), but WITH technology came the expectation that we have clean clothes EVERYDAY instead of ONCE A WEEK! Was it a time saver? Probably NOT as the expectations rose...thus with technology.
  • aesta1 Apr 21, 2012 @ 6:24 am | delete
    That ding of a text arriving. I just reduced myself to one laptop and I left of all times my power supply in the last country I was in. It is on its way now as I can't get a replacement where I am so gone are those days when several laptops are open to look at and respond to. A much needed rest from technology.
  • LubosLabik Apr 17, 2012 @ 5:12 am | delete
    If wasn't Facebook so shorten :)
  • kar351 Apr 16, 2012 @ 5:51 pm | delete
    To be honest I am not that depending of gadgets but, I could not live without: Computers, Internet, Mobile phone, TV and coffee! :)
    (hey coffee was a great invention!)
  • AndyPo Apr 15, 2012 @ 5:02 am | delete
    Excellent lens. I was involved in the development of many of the gadgets that now seem to control our lives and even I didn't expect the incredible rate of change to our working and social lives and to the world economy. I try to get away from the latest technology by listening to music on records and I constantly write notes with an ink-pen (I still usually have a laptop and phone nearby though)
  • Abhishek_Khandelwal Apr 15, 2012 @ 4:44 am | delete
    technology has made us more efficient. but there are some negatives as well, people are more stressed than ever and even though efficiency has increased a lot of people are having health related problems due to increased stress levels....overall, technology has made life easier and it varies from person to person on how they use/misuse technology

    http://www.roareventmanagement.com.au/corporate-events/
  • davespeed Apr 7, 2012 @ 5:13 pm | delete
    Great topic, Sherridan! We do seem to feel like we have to be connected 24/7. I have been making an effort to leave the computer and cell phone turned off at times throughout the day. I find it stressful to be available to the whole world at all times. Nice job on this lens!
  • GetApp Mar 30, 2012 @ 5:16 am | delete
    I think that technology can definitely be time consuming. Many apps for example create a need that you didn´t have before - through good marketing. Then you use it and you realize that you don´t really need all the features. However, many can be very time saving, especially if you are a manager on the fly they allow you to access your accounting or your client database wherever you are.
  • brynimagire Mar 24, 2012 @ 10:13 am | delete
    Nice information . Thanks.
  • AngliaFreight Mar 23, 2012 @ 10:40 am | delete
    technology is fantastic and has saved time for some
    pick and pack processes, but can make situations harder and more complicated when technology stops working or breaks
  • goo2eyes Mar 19, 2012 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    i work long hours since i worked on squidoo. it's addicting. i want some more work.
  • mihgasper Mar 18, 2012 @ 5:18 am | delete
    Technology can be of great help, but too often it rules our lives. We should be its masters, not servants;-)
  • Skylermeyer2012 Mar 16, 2012 @ 8:11 pm | delete
    Technology is associated with innovation and technology has a good and bad impact to us.. Its depend on the purpose and how to use it..
  • Serenia Mar 15, 2012 @ 6:50 pm | delete
    Is ay - lengthens working hours - because you are on call after you finish your shift for the day just like the movie - The Devil wears Prada.
    which is why I will NEVER have a cellphone, an ipad, ipod, blackberry or anything else small enough to carry around in my hand. I will stick with my desktop computer.
  • Mairis Mar 15, 2012 @ 12:53 am | delete
    great lense :) thx for sharing :)
  • Scriber1 Mar 14, 2012 @ 5:16 am | delete
    Wonderfully thoughtful and informative lens, I really enjoyed the wealth of information here. Thanks so much for linking to my Top 10 Future Trends of Technology lens as well, it's much appreciated!
  • Skylermeyer2012 Mar 13, 2012 @ 12:59 am | delete
    Excellent clear presentation. Accessible and interesting lens. Technology has certainly changed the work life balance game.
  • JoshK47 Mar 7, 2012 @ 3:24 pm | delete
    Excellent read - also, that blackberry bit is one of my favorite skits ever! Blessed by a SquidAngel!
  • srsddn Mar 7, 2012 @ 12:06 am | delete
    Quite interesting. Striking a balance is equally stressful.
  • ilike2create Mar 6, 2012 @ 9:53 am | delete
    Interesting topc. I love technology and that's why I am in my third year of traing as a software developer. I think it depends on the situation. Sometimes technology can sometimes shorten and sometimes lengthen working hours.
  • GreenOasis Mar 4, 2012 @ 5:46 am | delete
    Nice lens with a lot of good information.
  • LivedOrcen Feb 29, 2012 @ 5:38 pm | delete
    Sometimes I wonder what would happen to us if the energy goes off, we are so dependent of technology..
  • krislindahl1 Feb 23, 2012 @ 2:33 am | delete
    Great Lens! Nicely presented with lots of info!
  • Mujjen Feb 22, 2012 @ 6:10 am | delete
    TEchnology is great, but needs to be controlled. We must learn to switch off sometimes. AFter all, people are more important, and we need human interaction.
  • PersonnelRecruitment Feb 13, 2012 @ 6:51 pm | delete
    Great subject ! many people struggle with this balance these days and often are working too much. Nice.
  • nyclittleitaly Feb 9, 2012 @ 1:09 pm | delete
    I really think this lens is great. I believe people, with all the new technology, are working harder and more hours then ever. The blackberry makes you a 24 hour employee.
  • skiesgreen Feb 8, 2012 @ 4:34 pm | delete
    Wow, yoiu covered a lot of fascinating aspects here. It's something I have thought about a lot lately when noticing how much more we jam into the same time frame and for how much longer we do it. Even computer games are work related and getting off the computer to do other things is much harder than could have been imagined when it was invented. Blessed and featured on Blessed by Skiesgreen and also on Complex Thought or Complexity of Thinking, hugs
  • designOCS Feb 6, 2012 @ 5:56 am | delete
    I am right there when you mention checking e-mail first thing, and feeling a slight panic when internet is down. I shared the same thoughts... Internet? Who needs it... yeah...
  • TomMaybrier Feb 3, 2012 @ 6:08 pm | delete
    This is a really great lens! I'm not sure how to answer the question - I work online and sometimes I think it makes me way more efficient, but I can't deny how often I'm distracted by the internet in the course of my day!
  • GetSillyProductions Jan 31, 2012 @ 3:43 pm | delete
    both, it's just important that when we come we can switch off the technology and relax a bit.
  • OhMe Jan 31, 2012 @ 8:02 am | delete
    Work-Life Balance should be easier with all the new technology but it seems to be more difficult. I enjoyed reading this. Well done!
  • Wordwinder Jan 28, 2012 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    I have seen technology do both of these. How one looks at it depends entirely on one's situation in life - the nature of work that one does; age, which defines one's outlook towards life; and the goals that are set to be achieved depending on one's current aspirations.
    A well-made lens.
  • lensesbyjames Jan 27, 2012 @ 3:12 pm | delete
    Same length of time just more efficient I think.
  • sherridan Jan 27, 2012 @ 3:27 pm | delete
    Wow, you are the first person to say that it does what it is intended to do - increase efficiency - it takes me twice as long just trying to get the gadget to work!
  • Helene-Malmsio Jan 27, 2012 @ 3:04 pm | delete
    Great lens on essential subject - just nominated it for Lens of the Day, hope you get selected!
    http://www.squidoo.com/lenses-I-nominated-for-lens-of-the-day-lod
  • JaguarJulie Jan 26, 2012 @ 9:23 am | delete
    My dear, isn't it ironic? I mean, in the olden days, when I first started working, there essentially was no technology like today. With the increasing proliferance of technology, some of us have been turned into "workaholics" and sometimes don't know when to say "when."
  • VeseliDan Jan 25, 2012 @ 11:42 am | delete
    It should shorten working hours, but unfourtunatly it doesn't work this way...
  • hntrssthmpsn Jan 24, 2012 @ 5:37 pm | delete
    If anything goes wrong at work, I hear about it via our automated system when the problem begins and every 8 minutes thereafter until it is resolved. Good thing I find the anti-stress diet to easy to follow ;)
  • kathysart Jan 24, 2012 @ 10:12 am | delete
    I guess we have to constantly be innovative as technology moves forward. Very informative lens, blessed.
  • PizzaPromoGuy Jan 21, 2012 @ 5:45 pm | delete
    Technology can reduce your physical work required, but it can extend the hours in order to generate enough feedback to make your work worth while!
  • PersonnelRecruitment Jan 19, 2012 @ 9:22 pm | delete
    What an awesome lens. A great read !
  • AndyPo Jan 14, 2012 @ 6:23 am | delete
    Very interesting (and I love the "My blackberry's not working" sketch) I am part of the problem, as I have spent the last 20+ years helping to design many of these labour-saving technologies (I designed many of the Silicon chips inside), but I agree with your points. Technology should work for us, not the other way round. It has allowed the work/life boundary to become blurred, but has also created more ways for big business to siphon money from us as we become slaves to our iPhones, iPads etc.
  • sarahrk Dec 20, 2011 @ 7:25 pm | delete
    Technology has come so far in the last 50 years. Makes you stop and think!
  • waldenthree.net Dec 8, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
    "How can technology serve humanity better ?" That was a question that was asked by members of the Lunar Society a generation before Charles Darwin. Today, one problem about work and living in an urban area often is the 4 hour commute to and form work everyday. Where is the time to turn off and on ?
  • jtrojeck8383 Dec 6, 2011 @ 9:52 am | delete
    viewed your lens from the random lens viewer http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-lens-viewer
  • desa999 Nov 8, 2011 @ 5:02 am | delete
    Great lens with some fantastic material especially the worst predictions section, Great stuff.
  • rjpav2000 Oct 29, 2011 @ 7:52 am | delete
    Used to think it helped....but it really does lengthen the day. If there was no squidoo, I would have added 10+'hours to my free time doing something else this week....hahaha. Probably working on my iPad.
    Great post by the way.
  • Oct 18, 2011 @ 11:49 pm | delete
    I love the list of worst predictions. I wonder what we are predicting now that we will look back on and laugh about!
  • pepsharada Sep 15, 2011 @ 7:30 am | delete
    Relaxing of mind is very imp to remove the whole day stress. But though new technology has been developed even more is the work load increase. Gone were the days when the office is closed people spend time with their family members. Now we see every one very much techy sticking to their laptops even at home. They totally forget that they are living with people.
  • AdaptiveConcierge Jul 11, 2011 @ 9:27 pm | delete
    Great lens! As an independent concierge, I can definitely see myself pointing my readers and clients to this in the future!
  • corteeze Jun 23, 2011 @ 7:18 am | delete
    The list of "worst predictions" is hilarious. Thanks for sharing.
  • georgegijo Mar 29, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    stress in workplace can cause serious health problems. It can even lead to breakdown syndrome due to mental and physical fatigue caused by over working. Maintaining a perfect balance and organize the work schedule is the route to escape.
  • jonshjon Mar 8, 2011 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    This is a great lens for all.strategic planning software
  • bakerwoman Mar 5, 2011 @ 7:00 pm | delete
    It is very ironic that my job in the computer industry which is behind modern technology entails long hoursto meet deadlines. I dream and think about my job a lot and it is difficult to shut if off.
    Thanks for a great lens.
  • sherridan Feb 21, 2011 @ 2:51 am | delete
    Good to see a counter argument, KillerTechJobs!
  • KillerTechJobs Feb 21, 2011 @ 2:17 am | delete
    I know one thing the better that technology gets the quicker I can complete a project, so I would have to say shorten.
  • Luminosity Dec 5, 2010 @ 10:56 am | delete
    This is a great lens to bring awareness to people about the fun they should be having and the stress they should be relieving.
  • scar4 Nov 26, 2010 @ 12:38 am | delete
    I see no difference. I mean that technology has little influence on my working hours.
  • PeterStillman Nov 24, 2010 @ 6:55 am | delete
    Sheridan - Sometimes we cna all become slaves to technology and it can be a serious cause for stress in our life. I have just published an article about Effective Stress Management that you might find useful.

    If you are affected by stress, it helps to understand the cause and symptoms in order to find ways how to deal with it.

    Have a great day

    Peter
  • vandell Oct 30, 2010 @ 3:54 pm | delete
    very interesting....i learn a lot
  • mutter Sep 17, 2010 @ 9:19 am | delete
    Very interesting lens. My husband did his Masters on this very subject, after 25 years as a computer specialist! Needless to say, he won't use facebook!
  • Kiosks4business Apr 19, 2010 @ 3:24 am | delete
    Fantastic lens and very thought provoking.

    I think that technology does save us time, but as liveyourbalance explains this frees up time for other things, you just need to try to make sure that the 'free' time is then used on pleasant activities rather than on laborious tasks. Technology should enhance our lives and not merely make way for more un-enjoyable occupations.

    http://www.squidoo.com/Kiosks
  • liveyourbalance Mar 14, 2010 @ 7:04 am | delete
    Hi Sherridan. Love this article. The fact that techonoligy has meant we can do things faster seems to also mean we are surpose to fit more into a day.

    I use to wonder if being so effiecient was really a good thing purely because I ended up with so much more work. Then when things took longer than they normaly would for whatever reason, I would be dropping further and further behind.

    Now I work from home for me and I am probably worse off, lol, however, as a family we have balanced out alot more with me home.

    5* Lens
  • GetSAPtraining Nov 28, 2009 @ 12:12 am | delete
    Thanks for the great lens with full of useful information!

    If you want to make a step to learn more about SAP training, you feel that you could benefit from SAP BI training then make a visit to http://www.get-erp-training.com. All of your SAP training online can be addressed through this blog site.
  • Digs Feb 23, 2009 @ 2:59 pm | delete
    Hello Sherridan
    Love your Career Oracle lenses....wish I was more local, I would come for a consultation!

    You have posed an interesting question here.... modern technology is certainly labour saving, but I cannot help thinking I seem to be working longer and harder.........

    Keep up the good work!
    Digs

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sherridan

Sherridan Hughes is a chartered psychologist specialised in career assessment, analysis and counselling - a proven career catalyst. After previous liv... more »

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