Canadian HR Reporter

Using bad technology is twice as stressful to workers as using good technology — regardless of their level of computer literacy, a study has revealed. In addition, it takes people three times longer to relax and recover from high-stress peaks during work hours than working in lower-stress situations, according to Dell Technologies' Brain on Tech neuroscientific study, in which 30 participants between the ages of 19 and 58 were hooked up to special headsets monitoring their brain activity while they performed work- related computer tasks. The study simulated bad and good technology experiences — with an unreliable laptop with planted bugs for the former and a high- performing computer and screen for the latter. The study also found that young people in the gen Z and millennial demographic groups are more negatively affected by bad technology experiences — performing twice as poorly as those in older groups — and stress levels increased immediately for those facing a bad technology experience. Overall, it took participants less than nine minutes to complete a task on technology that was performing well, compared to 14 minutes on technology that was performing poorly. Only one out of five post-secondary institutions in Canada is addressing the development of social and emotional skills (SES) as a significant part of their strategic plans for student skill development, according to a study. A similar proportion of strategic plans referred to holistic SES development, found the study — conducted by the Conference Board of Canada with the Future Skills Centre analyzing the strategic plans of 131 Canadian colleges and universities. "These findings are disappointing when considered Struggling to save for retirement loss of income keep more cash on hand additional expenses SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT LAGGING Nearly one out of five U.S. workers is contributing less to their retirement savings during the pandemic. Low- income households (earning less than $30,000 per year) were most likely to tap into their retirement accounts (45 per cent) compared to those making $30,000 to $49,999 (30 per cent), $50,000 to $79,999 (34 per cent) and more than $80,000 (17 per cent), found a Bankrate survey of 1,326 adults. BAD TECH RAISES STRESS LEVELS in the context of the skills that employers are looking for today," says Michael Burt, vice president of the Conference Board of Canada. "This suggests that social and emotional skills remain under-recognized as a core part of learning at Canadian colleges and universities." Although one-third of Canadian college plans mentioned SES, when those that coincided with the broader category of "essential skills" were removed, colleges were level with universities, with less than one-quarter (21 per cent) referring to SES. 62% 33% 20% GOOD TECH BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY TOP REASONS FOR CUTTING CONTRIBUTIONS 37% 30% 23 minutes greater amount of work is achieved by employees using technology that is newer and better supported per hour is saved by good tech — 15 hours in a 40-hour work week decrease in employee performance with a bad tech experience regardless www.hrreporter.com 15

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