The survey by LexisNexis revealed that white-collar professionals are being subjected with too much information in their workplaces since the financial downturn. As a result of this, workers spend almost as much time getting information as they do use it. In the US, the percentage of time spent receiving information increased from 41% in 2008 to 50% in 2010. Australia was worst hit with 54% of time spent receiving information. Australian workers disclose that half of the information is not important to get their job done. Search engines are predominantly to blame for providing a lot of information that does not assist workers to prioritize their needs. Workers agree that information overload negatively impacts their work performance. 51% of the professionals stated that they were discouraged by the inability to manage all the received information.
Email topped the list of a preferred method to reach the worker if someone had important information. The professionals agreed that the constant flow of information through emails and mobile phones made it harder for them to work. 85% of Australian workers were affected by this incessant flow of information. As a result of this, most workers confessed to sometimes getting rid of work information that they had not properly reviewed. USA workers were more prone to this behaviour with 91% having done this. All professionals agreed that inability to get the right information when they needed it wasted a lot of time. Due to informational overload, workers waste time sifting through old files and have disagreements with colleagues on how to organize information. In recognition of the issues caused by information overload, companies have taken steps to assist workers better manage information. However, workers are of the opinion that organizations need more assistance to help them manage information.
Works Cited
LexisNExis. International Workplace Productivity Survey White Collar Highlights. New Jersey: LexisNexis, 2010. Print.