Cons Of Multitasking
Question 3: Examine the pros and cons of multitasking.
The advent of modern electronic communication via multiple methods, mechanisms and devices has led to the pervasive, and in some cases, encourages the practice of multitasking in the work and business environment. As pointed out by Durbin (2017), “It has become standard communication practice for many workers to read e-mail and text messages while listening to a presentation” (p. 208). Staunch supporters of multitasking claim it bolsters productivity. In contrast, there is significant research supporting the contrary. By detailing the various aspects of multitasking, this essay helps to articulate the concepts, advantages and disadvantages related to the practice. To briefly summarize, multitasking involves performing multiple functions at once, typically using an array of communication devices and mechanisms. A worker may …show more content…
The vast majority of workers simply cannot function in this manner effectively. As indicated by Durbin (2017), “About 2.5 percent of the population is successful at multitasking” (224). In many cases, people feel they are very capable in handling multiple tasks at once, unfortunately, the result in most cases are reduced accuracy and productivity. Additionally, the interruptions associated with multitasking activity are a financial drain as well. According to Durbin (2017), “Multitasking cost the U.S. economy an estimated annual productivity loss of $997 billion and a minimum of 28 billion hours of lost work time” (p.224). The reduced accuracy in conjunction with the constant interruptions and the statistics regarding the expense associated with ineffective multitasking not only affects business life but encroaches on the separation between business and home life as well as modern communication devices can make people available virtually anywhere,
The advent of modern electronic communication via multiple methods, mechanisms and devices has led to the pervasive, and in some cases, encourages the practice of multitasking in the work and business environment. As pointed out by Durbin (2017), “It has become standard communication practice for many workers to read e-mail and text messages while listening to a presentation” (p. 208). Staunch supporters of multitasking claim it bolsters productivity. In contrast, there is significant research supporting the contrary. By detailing the various aspects of multitasking, this essay helps to articulate the concepts, advantages and disadvantages related to the practice. To briefly summarize, multitasking involves performing multiple functions at once, typically using an array of communication devices and mechanisms. A worker may …show more content…
The vast majority of workers simply cannot function in this manner effectively. As indicated by Durbin (2017), “About 2.5 percent of the population is successful at multitasking” (224). In many cases, people feel they are very capable in handling multiple tasks at once, unfortunately, the result in most cases are reduced accuracy and productivity. Additionally, the interruptions associated with multitasking activity are a financial drain as well. According to Durbin (2017), “Multitasking cost the U.S. economy an estimated annual productivity loss of $997 billion and a minimum of 28 billion hours of lost work time” (p.224). The reduced accuracy in conjunction with the constant interruptions and the statistics regarding the expense associated with ineffective multitasking not only affects business life but encroaches on the separation between business and home life as well as modern communication devices can make people available virtually anywhere,