Technology
Technology in the workplace
Use of computers is rising continuously, while the number of workers only using machine technologies or no technology at all is diminishing. New technologies place greater demands on workers to continually upgrade their skills. The Fourth Working Conditions Survey (2005) looked at the growing prevalence of computers in the workplace (see Chapter 5: "Nature of Work" in EWCS 2005 report [pdf 470 kb]). Around 27% of workers now work with computers all, or almost all, of the time; in 1990, the equivalent figure was around 13%. However, a sizeable proportion (64%) of workers still never or almost never use internet or email, and only around 2% telework full time.
Secondary analysis of the 2005 survey data (Use of technology and working conditions in the European Union) reveals that the use of different technologies brings different work outcomes:
- People working with machines run a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and work-related stress symptoms, and therefore report relatively low job satisfaction. Such symptoms, in turn, can be attributed to the high work intensity, the lack of learning opportunities in the job and significant ergonomic risks that machine users face.
- Computer users, on the other hand, enjoy better working conditions and show higher levels of job satisfaction. Therefore, they have greater chances of being in better health than workers using machines.
- However, two work organisational characteristics – working in autonomous teams and high task autonomy – appeared to ease the negative effects of machine use at work, increasing the level of learning opportunities and lowering the risk of developing stress symptoms.