Why Do We Work More Despite Having so Many New Technologies?

I remember that a couple of years ago, when I still worked for an American multinational company, our managers were very eager on innovating our processes and workflow. Of course, this applied more to the production department where the results were more immediate, but the same principal applied even in the HR department where I used to work.

Basically, what they wanted us to do was to come up with new ideas to streamline our daily activities ... now hat I am writing this, I realize that I am talking the same whey they used to :).

And this was not a suggestion, but more like an order, as each one of us had to propose an optimization plan (based on the tools and technologies that they provided us with) each quarter. Anyhow, the point that I am trying to make here and that connects this memory of mine with the article's title is that they did this in order for us to 'gain' more time and be more productive.

I totally get the productivity part, as for the 'more time' argument, I didn't manage to understand that then and I still can't see the logic of it today either. So, if I came up with an awesome idea that helped me work 15 minutes on a process that normally took 1 h, I would gain 45 minutes. But what would I have been allowed to do with those 45 minutes? Have a long coffe break, talk to my friends on the phone, go outside for a walk? Certainly not. What I would have had to do during that time, had I managed to optimize my activity would surely have been more work.

And this happens in all companies, of all sizes all around the world. No matter how much technology employers invest in and no matter how fast and efficient we become, we will work more and more to meet new deadlines and exceed new expectations.

Don't you feel the same?

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/search/technology/