Rapid advances in technology and the accompanying explosion in devices have significantly impacted the way people work. But for all the good technology has brought, there have been some negative side effects. Take, for example, the rise of nomophobia – the fear of being without one’s cell phone.

In recent years, the rush to reduce space has driven many companies to adopt an open office concept. For many, though, that may not be the right solution. Introverts and anyone that needs privacy to concentrate at work may suffer in this type of environment if relief is not offered. Employers would like to believe that everyone concentrates at work but  it’s getting harder to do so with all the distractions in an open concept office. It’s not just noise, it’s also visual distractions and the constant “pinging” of technology. And not all talk is collaborative; a lot of it is just chatter.

The “ping” factor is one of the most detrimental issues in the office today. It’s simply the notion that deep, meaningful thought is being constantly disrupted, often by technology. Studies show that it takes 15 minutes for a person to become really immersed in any deep, meaningful thought; however, on average, people are interrupted every seven minutes. And for anyone who has instant messaging, text messaging or social media up and running, interruptions occur on average every two minutes. To get back to any deep, meaningful thought (remembering where work was left off and reprocessing the information) takes 20 minutes. Hence, it’s getting harder for workers to tap into what drives innovation.

Living in a world of constant distractions is taking a toll on mental and physical health as well as productivity. People need to periodically break free from technology to move, think and live in the moment. Today, a new area of study is helping people take back control of their lives. There are tech-detox camps for kids, and doctors at the Mayo Clinic are offering sessions on how to limit distractions and how to focus and engage meaningfully again – a skill many fear is being lost, with serious ramifications. Stress is at an all-time high and health is at an all-time low.

Technology has also physically changed the way people work. The concept of the modern office is only 60 years old; the concept of sitting all day, staring at a computer, is only 20 years old; and being tethered to technology via mobile devices is only eight years old. People’s bodies weren’t meant to sit for such long periods of time and it’s having a negative impact on their health. Texting-related injuries are on the rise, to name but one of the consequences. Sitting is the smoking of this generation.

The cost-cutting of recent years may have come at a higher price than originally thought. Research shows that productivity and employee engagement have suffered. However, to be successful today, those are two key elements that must not be diminished.

While presenteeism is high, reports show that 72 per cent of employees are disengaged and sleepwalking through the day. Technology was designed to support people but, instead, it’s running them. As a result, well-being scores are down, which contributes to poorer health. People are so distracted that no one can concentrate.

Not only do people need to de-program themselves, they need to train others to break the expectation that people must always be “on” and instantly reachable.

Here are a few simple measures to improve workplace performance:

• Establish IT protocols on when it’s okay to use technology and what’s acceptable. For example, is it okay for employees to text message during a meeting or send a work-related e-mail late at night?
• Employees should be encouraged to only check e-mails three times a day. Outside of these times, they should post a message to that fact to let others know that if it’s an emergency, they can call or page.
• Establish tech-free times in the office, when the focus will be on being present with the team.
• Have areas in the office where no technology is allowed. Create quiet zones for work that requires concentration and contemplation, and for team meetings where everyone needs to be fully engaged.
• Remind employees that when focusing on a task or working towards a deadline, they should turn technology off.

Office culture needs to be refocused on its most important asset: people. Improve employees’ experience to maximize their potential. Productivity and quality of life will both benefit from the use of technology to aid people rather than to run people.

Kay Sargent is vice-president of architecture, design and workplace strategies at Teknion.