Break encouraging software

Stuff reports:

A Christchurch firm hopes a A$1 million (NZ$1.13m) win with the Australian Tax Office may persuade the New Zealand Government to buy software that monitors public servants’ computer use and encourages them to take breaks.

The Australian Tax Office has installed Wellnomics’ “Risk Management” software on its 25,000 desktop computers in a bid to reduce the health risks related to sedentary office work and computer use, such as “RSI” and heart disease.

The software checks how frequently and intensely staff are using their keyboards and mice, and whether they are taking breaks. It also generates reports indicating which staff might be at risk of overuse.

Such software can be a good thing, but if it is used to make the breaks mandatory, it can cause near-violence in the workplace.

When I worked at Parliament there was software which forced you to stop using your computer for a couple of minutes as a mandatory micro-break.

To say this was unpopular was under-stating the case. When there is a crisis on, and you are rushing to finish something in time for a debate in the House, having your computer insist you take a break could induce monumental levels of rage. Press secretaries came close to throwing their PCs out their 9th floor windows as they cursed and screamed at them.

As I said software which monitors can be useful, as can be software that allows each user to set break reminders. But if it is used to “force” people to take breaks, it can end up causing huge levels of stress – which employers are also meant to mitigate against.