How Technology Makes Work More Annoying

10 of the worst workplace tech trends

by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

New technology has brought some great new workplace trends: telecommuting and free company iPhones, for instance. But new technology has also ushered in some annoying (and productivity-destroying) workplace trends--in all industries.

These are among the most aggravating:

Your boss asking you to be friends on Facebook
"It's a little awkward," says computer engineer Daphne Schaeffer. "You can't exactly ignore the boss, but you don't want them knowing what you did on Friday or who you did it with."

Having to "friend" every business you associate with
"It's gotten ridiculous," says attorney Shane Fischer.

Forgetting how to talk
Publicist Tajiana Ancora-Brown has seen a worsening of in-person and on-the-phone communication. "It's unbelievable when someone who sits two desks away from you sends you numerous emails about things that could be worked out in a two-minute conversation instead of an email exchange lasting the entire afternoon."

Sending an IM to say you're sending an email
"When did we decide that we needed one technology to announce another technology?" asks Kristin Pitarys, of the Arizona Cheesecake Company.

Not checking voicemail
Wonder why you haven't heard a peep after leaving that really detailed voicemail message? It may be because the recipient rarely picks up voicemail. "It's one of those 'out of sight, out of mind' things. Email and texts are a lot more in your face," says Internet consultant Mark Warren, who admits he is "totally one of those people."

Checking voice mail for all to hear
Many people who do still check voice messages are more prone to letting the world hear them, too. "I can't tell you how many times I've had to listen to people listening to their voicemail messages on speaker phone," says Eula Young, of Griot's Roll Film Production.

CC-ing the world on email messages
"Why am I being copied on this? Am I supposed to take action on this? Just be aware of it? Huh?" asks Ellen Daehnick, of b-spoke group, a management consulting business.

Tweeting the day away
Barry Maher, the author of "Filling the Glass," points to the trend of "people who constantly interrupt their work to tweet and be tweeted." He adds, "One client claimed it had cost his company thousands of dollars in lost productivity."

Texting during meetings
It's been going on for a while and doesn't show any sign of letting up. "And these are grownups, not just 20-somethings. And they get mad if you call them on their insanely rude behavior," says technology consultant Gabriel Goldberg.

Never really getting a vacation
Many supervisors and clients expect workers with time off to stay in touch via email, texting, and even social networking. "That pretty much defeats the entire purpose of leaving work behind while vacationing," says Steven Spenser, of Praxis Communication.

Publicist Marli McCleary feels his pain. "There's nothing like a client calling you when you're at the craps table in Vegas or in aisle 10 at the grocery store with your kids."

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