In line with a previous post, the way we communicate in the workplace is evolving, and we’re now having to face a horde of new potential interruptions in our day as email, voicemail, instant messaging and rushed coworkers all clamor for our attention. Despite the common perception that the younger workers of today thrive in the chaotic world of multiple inputs and constant interruption, it turns out the opposite might be true.
A study by The Institute for Innovation & Information Productivity and Oxford University may end up changing the way we look at work processes and their impact on productivity. The research, highlighted here, claims that younger workers are far more susceptible to performance degradation when constantly interrupted while performing challenging cognitive tasks than previously thought, and older workers are potentially better suited to work under the rapid-fire conditions prevalent in the modern workplace.
The researchers say that younger workers (18-21) who are subjected to constant interruption exhibit symptoms similar to suffering a ”kick in the head” and that older workers (35-39) fare much better under similar circumstances.
Have a look at this research and keep it in mind the next time your child tells you she can do her homework perfectly well with the television and computer on while chatting on the mobile and texting all at the same time.
#1 by Michael - February 13th, 2009 at 17:27
This is obvious when I watch young people trying to drive and talk on their cell phone at the same time. Seems they’re worse than older drivers. Maybe I just see more of them.
While we’re talking about youth, I wonder how the current economy will affect the Millennium Generation. Companies have been stressing about how to deal with their work habits, you know, social networking and all. Now college grads can’t find jobs because of the economy. Wonder if this will affect who accommodates whom. Will young workers still revolutionize the workplace, or will they be more prone to adapt to business at its usual?
#2 by Roger Farnsworth - February 13th, 2009 at 18:50
Thanks for the comment, Michael. We do live in interesting times, do we not?
#3 by Mike - February 20th, 2009 at 00:23
I did EVERYTHING for seven years (office work, selling, you name it) then driving for eight, finally doing electronic service engineering (from which there is no prospect of promotion other than OFFICE work) for TEN. At which point, I ALMOST burned out.
I realised promotion is about more than just status and money – it’s about CHANGE (“a change is as good as a rest” – actually it’s BETTER). The human brain is not MADE to do the same old same old forever.
In my experience MOST people’s brains burn out after around ten years – even if the task is not particularly stressful – it’s the REPETITION.
What happens is, the victim of Work-Related Stress BLOWS UP. Then after a “rest” and some drugs they return. For a week or two, their work-mates treat them “carefully” but people being what they are, things soon return to normal.
But the returned worker does NOT. Inside, they are BROKEN. Like a horse.
This happens to an ALARMING amount of people. But governments keep QUIET about it – they have to – if Joe public knew the stats, every time he felt a bit stressed, he’d QUIT and COMMERCE would break down!
But when I saw I was heading that way, I said NO! I am a strong person and knew if I broke down, I’d be SHATTERED. No way. So I walked away. Became a writer and retired at 50. And I’ve not regretted it for one day.
Right now, I’m 56 and have never been happier.
Sure, if you are one of the few lucky people who aquire a VOCATION – a job where you awaken when you clock ON and sleep after clocking OFF – which is the REVERSE of MOST jobs – then fine.
If the job has variety, you CAN continue until you drop – or are forced to retire. You’re living to WORK.
But the shelf-fillers, grease-monkeys, plumbers and traffic wardens and other spear-carriers of this World don’t HAVE that. They are wage-whores. They work to LIVE.
But I was lucky – I HAD an alternative. Most, sadly do not…