I've noticed an increase in the last few weeks of articles by a number of sources addressing everything from the loss of productivity to the real health risks of being forced to multitask – something that used to be listed as a plus on job descriptions, but which has evolved into such an unspoken necessity that it's not listed on them nearly as often these days.  Even worse, the digital age of Blackberries and other devices that enable connectivity to the office literally 24/7 prod most mid- to high-level workers to multitask cross platform so as not to viewed as less than a team player by their supervisors.

Here is a brief roundup of just a few such articles that caught my attention (delivered to me by Google Reader, which thankfully waited for me to come to it):

• This New York Times article discusses the inherent bane of tech firms: the necessary emphasis on e-mail, from everything to project R&D and management to customer support.  The upside?  Innovative companies such as Google are introducing new software applications designed to influence employee engagement best practices for open communication.  Unfortunately, this may be just a longwinded, profit-cutting way of forcing workers to turn off and disconnect from the technology that has enabled American productivity to be what it is today.  Only time will tell.
• In his always great Management Line blog, Australian-based business writer Leon Gettler looks at several sources that, together, make the compelling case that Google (and other search engines) may be making us stupid.  Most of his post centers on research and opinion by Nicholas Carr of the Harvard Business Review, who talks about how he feels his brain has been reconditioned in recent years so that his attention span no longer tolerates reading the long narrative of studies on paper.  Instead, he writes, he now digests his information from the screen in short bursts.  I think many workers and their bosses can relate.
• Finally, with the challenge in the title of "Can you finish this story without being interrupted?" (I couldn't), this article in the Toronto Star talks about the dangers of using cell phones while driving, the stress at work that can come from not just enabling but requiring workers to manage their time more efficiently, and the fragmented learning that occurs when studying while multitasking.  With its focus on teens who do the latter, Christine Rosen's piece serves as an ominous warning to the workplace leaders of tomorrow when it comes to innovation as a means of besting the competition, since the next generation of workers may be more technologically savvy, but, as a trade off, also shallower thinkers.

If you're still reading, I don't want to take up more of your time.  I'll only leave you with this question: To what extent are employee engagement activities in your firm set up to foster responsible, quick communication that detracts the least amount from your workflow and productivity?

You could take a little more time and let me know by commenting.  I can tell you from my end, and from the perspective of your fellow readers, it will be time well spent.