CMSC 104: Capiz State University Mambusao, Satellite College Poblacion, Mambusao Capiz

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
MAMBUSAO,SATELLITE COLLEGE
POBLACION, MAMBUSAO CAPIZ

CMSC 104
EMPOWERING COMPUTERS IN THE WORKPLACE
REPORTERS: PROFESSOR:
MELINDA L. JARCE MRS. BELINDA C. PULA
FREZA O. COSIPE
RENAN JANTULOS
8.1 INTRODUCTION
We begin this chapter by looking at some of the debates
concerning the effects of computerisation on levels of
employment/unemployment and on the quality of
people’s working lives. We shall be addressing two
concerns in particular; firstly, whether computers have
been replace people, leading to greater unemployment,
but also creating news kinds of jobs in the process; and
secondly whether computers have affected the quality of
working life. We then address the issue of computerized
monitoring and surveillance in the work place, outlining
arguments for and against such practices. Finally, we look
at the advantages and drawback of telecommuting.
8.2 COMPUTERS AND EMPLOYMENT
The impact of new technologies in the workplace has long been a
source of controversy. As computer technologies became increasingly
accessible, dire predictions were about the impact of this latest new
technology on employment levels in the manufacturing industry and
commerce. However , according to Forester and Morrison the impact
was not as great as first envisaged for three reason.
 The introduction of computer into the workplace was slower than
expected (due to financial, technical, human and organizational
problems - including oversell by the computer industry).
 The alarming rate of unemployment was not seen to increase
dramatically.
 Particularly in the US and Europe , the baby boom generation’s
entry into the workforce was largely complete by the end of the
eighties, and the arrival of the baby bust generation in the 199os
saw some shortages of labor developing.
There is little doubt that the computerization of factories
and offices has led to the steady erosion of employment
opportunities particularly in the case od less skilled
manual and clerical workers.
Job losses have been particularly severe in traditional
manufacturing industries, where competition from newly
industrial countries and the process of de-
industrialization have made matter much worse.
8.3 COMPUTER AND THE QUALITY OF WORK
Some argue that computers provide an opportunity to increase
worker skill, and introduce variety into otherwise mundane jobs.
Many reports suggest that workers engage with the technology,
are pleased to develop IT skills, and see potential for promotion
as a result of increased technical abilities. However, another,
more cynical, point of view arises from the idea that skilled
workers are a threat to management because they can set their
own pace and control the process. Therefore by introducing new
technologies, management, can maintain control of the
workforce and exploit them. In the manufacturing industry, this
transfer of skills to machines reduce the jobs available for skilled
workers, and increases employment for less-skilled ‘machine
minders’. Also despite the promise that new technology can
improve the quality of working life, many of the new jibs being
created in futuristic factories are every bit as tedious, fast paced,
and stressful as the old style assembly line jobs.
However it can be argued that new technologies
require different skills, and the unreliability of IT
systems actually increases the dependence of
managers on their skilled workforce and not vice
versa. The new technologies introduce new modes of
machine failure, new flaws in the control systems
themselves and new challenges to the design of jobs.
In such settings, workers must control the controls.
Far from deskilling the workforce, computer
technology demands that employers need to
constantly improve staff quality
Through learning and retraining. This lack of
stability can lead to stress and staff
disillusionment.
Psychological Effects
There are indication of computerisation in
offices has resulted in increased levels of stress
for workers. Many workers are inadequately
trained for new technology and they need in
coping with the stress arising out of change.
Stress in the modern office leads to loss of jobs
satisfaction, low morale, absenteeism and poor
management labour relation.
Interactions with computer tends to
depersonalise both the user community and the
application itself. The resulting sense of
anonymity can inspire a lack of respect for the
system and its resources, and a diminished
sense of ethics, values, and morals on the part
of the affected people. The depersonalisation
can increase the temptations to commit
misdeeds, diminish human initiative, and cause
the abdication of design-making responsibility.
Health and safety hazards
In the 1980s there were concerns regarding
harmful radiation from CRT-based displays. In
1985 a Japanese study of 13,000 workers
reportedly found a high level of miscarriages,
premature births and stillbirths among computer
operators. In 1987 a study of 1600 women
clerical workers who had become pregnant since
1984 found that expectant mothers who had
spent more than 20 hours per week at terminals
were more than twice as likely to suffer a
miscarriage as other clerical employees.
Other research has highlighted effects from
monitors resulting in eyestrain, double vision ,
neck and shoulder problems and depression.
Excessive use of computer keyboards, and

other hand held input device (mouse) can lead
to injuries to the arm, hand, and fingers. This
type of physical stress is commonly known a
repetitive strain injury.
8.4 Computerised monitoring in the
Workplace
In the past employees were monitored directly
by progress chaser, foremen and supervisors.
But this day monitoring can be done
surreptitiously by computer technologies.
Computerised monitoring is constant, cheap
and reliable. Supervisors are no longer limited
by what they can observe with their own eyes.
Computerized monitoring in call centers is now
routine practice. Monitoring of employees
computer and internet use in workplace.
This includes abuse of company time by
browsing the internet, downloading illegal
software and inappropriate content such as
pornography, exchanging that content with
work colleagues, sending abusive e-mails, and
conducting private or personal work during
company time. To protect themselves and to
monitor their employees, companies are
increasing installing employee internet
management software.
 In defence of monitoring in the workplace
Organizations have ethical and legal obligations
to protect themselves against illegal activities in
the workplace, particularly from the existence
of illegal software. Also use monitoring to
improve productivity and competitive
performance. It provide clear, accurate
performance measures and in principle,
enhances the ability of managers to motivate
employees. Many companies have also suffered
from industrial espionage and employee theft.
 Arguments against monitoring in the
workplace
Critics suggest that computerized employee
monitoring undermines trust, encourages
competitiveness among co workers and is more
concerned with measuring quantity rather than
quality.
Ethical and legal issues
Ethical issues in the case of monitoring in
workplace has been how to balance the rights
and expectation of employees with the
obligations and objectives of employers.
8.5 TELECOMMUTING
Telecommuting or teleworking are use of
telecommunications and internet technologies
to work outside the traditional office or
workplace, usually at home or in a mobile
situation. Includes faxes, laptops, modems,
PCs, mobile phones, e-mail, video
conferencing, high bandwidth computer
networks and satellite technology.
 The benefits of telecommuting
 Increased productivity
-studies indicate that teleworkers show
increased productivity
 Reduction in absenteeism
-less likely to take time off work
 A five point code of ethics to control the use
of computerized monitoring and to safe
guard privacy
 Applying to monitoring the same protection

that applies to pre-employment background
check
 Requiring employers to provide employees

with advance notice of the introduction of
monitoring as well as appropriate mechanism
appeals.
 Requiring people to verify machine-produced
information before using it to evaluate
employees
 Providing workers with access to the

information themselves and providing
mechanism for monetary redress for
employees whose rights and violated
 Applying a statue limitations on data from

monitoring
 Improved morale-more freedom to schedule their
work
 Improved recruitment-employees can work from a

wider geographic area
 Benefits to the environment-less commuter traffic-

reduced carbon emissions
 Lower costs for the worker-child care expenses,

office clothes, travelling
 Significant health benefits to telecommuting
 Reduced spread of communicable
 Reduction in stress-related illnesses
 Reduced production of pollutants that lead to

increased health problems
 Improved access to individual health needs for

persons with existing health problems or
dissabilities
 The drawbacks of telecommuting
Although some employees welcome the new

freedom that comes with less supervision,
others say they miss the camaraderie and social
interaction that comes with face-face office
work.
 Other noted aspects are given below adapted
from Q
o The treat to management control of worker

autonomy
o Lack of face to face interaction with customers

at the workplace
o Security issues (particularly sensitive

information)
o Difficulty of scheduling team meetings

o Lack of visibility with management (and the
potential for being overlook for promotion)
o Lack of support for the office worker from the

remote worker (the office worker is unlikely
to contact the remote worker for help)
o The teleworker feels the need to be always

available to prove they are working
o Isolation not just but for stimulation of ideas,
peer support, technical support
o Tendency to work longer hours.
THE END

CMSC 104: Capiz State University Mambusao, Satellite College Poblacion, Mambusao Capiz

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CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Excessive use of computer keyboards, and

 Applying to monitoring the same protection

 Requiring employers to provide employees

 Providing workers with access to the

 Applying a statue limitations on data from

 Improved recruitment-employees can work from a

 Benefits to the environment-less commuter traffic-

 Lower costs for the worker-child care expenses,

 Reduced spread of communicable

 Reduction in stress-related illnesses

 Reduced production of pollutants that lead to

 Improved access to individual health needs for

Although some employees welcome the new

o The treat to management control of worker

o Lack of face to face interaction with customers

o Security issues (particularly sensitive

o Difficulty of scheduling team meetings

o Lack of support for the office worker from the

o The teleworker feels the need to be always

o Tendency to work longer hours.

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