Southern Miss Business February 2024 Newsletter

Balancing Act: Navigating Screen Time in the Modern Workplace

Digital devices and computers have transformed the world of work by improving efficiency, communication, collaboration, flexibility, and innovation. Understandably, organizations have embraced these technologies to stay competitive and adapt to the evolving demands of the modern workplace. However, the increased reliance on these technologies has also resulted in another growing trend—increased screen time for employees. Just how much time do employees spend in front of screens at work? Data suggests that office workers spend an average of 6.5 hours per day at work in front of computer screens or laptops. This does not include time spent on mobile devices at work. Further, Americans log almost 11 hours per day of screen time, with most of that being while at work. I don't know about you, but those are staggering statistics to me. This is undoubtedly a function of a number of factors, including growing levels of remote work and reliance on digital communication applications, the proliferation of digital devices and multitasking habits, and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life.

While most of our work is complemented by digital devices, computers, software, AI, and the like, excessive screen time has numerous negative effects. Excessive screen time can result in negative physical health consequences such as eye strain, neck and back pain, and a sedentary lifestyle and its related health risks. Mental health can also be impacted through increased stress and anxiety, impaired cognitive function and focus, and disrupted sleep patterns. The social and emotional effects are also worthwhile to consider, which include decreased face-to-face interactions, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and difficulty with work-life balance and personal relationships. Furthermore, some screen time while at work is not work-related or constructive, causing productivity losses for the organization over and above the productivity impact of negative physical and emotional consequences for employees.

Fortunately, organizations can employ strategies to mitigate the negative effects of screen time. First, organizations can implement technology breaks. It is a good idea to encourage employees to take regular breaks from screens and promote physical movement and stretching exercises. Second, organizations can establish screen-free zones or work time and help employees prioritize tasks to minimize unnecessary screen exposure. One suggestion is to limit virtual meetings when possible and prohibit the use of laptops and digital devices during physical meetings. Third, organizations can provide employees with education and resources about the consequences of excessive screen time. For example, most of us know little about proper ergonomics and posture in the workplace. Employers can also offer resources for managing stress and well-being. Lastly, organizations can encourage activities that do not involve screens, such as promoting non-screen-related hobbies and activities and organizing team-building exercises or outdoor events.

Organizations should develop a healthy culture around screen time in the workplace to ensure such strategies are taken seriously and solidified. This ultimately starts at the top, where those in leadership roles must set the example by practicing healthy screen habits and focusing on their own work-life balance and well-being. Organizations can also offer flexible work arrangements that may help to reduce screen time and adapt communication strategies that incorporate non-digital mediums. Finally, the old adage that "what gets measured, gets managed" is important to consider. Organizations could collect feedback from employees about their screen time and its consequences. Adjusting policies and practices based on the feedback and changing needs of the organization and its employees can also help to create a healthy screen time culture in your organization. This approach sends a clear message to leaders and employees that it matters.

There are a number of great resources available that I have shared below. It is not lost on me that these are digital, so please read responsibly:

• 5 Tips to Reduce Screen Time While You’re WFH (hbr.org)
• Three Ways To Decrease Your Screen Time Without Hurting Work Or Social Life (forbes.com)
• Is Too Much Screen Time Giving You Eye Fatigue? (hbr.org)
• How To Manage Screen Time At Work · BUSINESSFIRST (businessfirstonline.co.uk)
• How Reducing Screen Time Can Improve Your Productivity (reviewstudio.com)
• Is Too Much Screen Time a Problem for Your Employees’ Wellness? - HR Daily Advisor (blr.com)
• 14 Screen Time–Management Tips During COVID-19 | The Muse
• How Screen Time is Affecting your Employees & What You Can Do to Help - EWSNetwork

I'm curious about what others have seen regarding the increase of screen time in the workplace. Have you noticed issues in your organization? What is your organization doing to manage this growing issue?

EVP with Cadence Bank & Retired Two-Star Major General Visits Scianna Hall

Alumnus Steve Ainsworth, EVP with Cadence Bank and retired two-star Major General, USA, stopped by Scianna Hall to meet with business students and learn more about what all Southern Miss Business has in the works. After visiting the Sales Lab to meet members of the Southern Miss Business Sales Team, Ainsworth had lunch with and shared invaluable leadership lessons with a group of business students.

Ainsworth has more than 42 years of service and currently serves as an Executive Vice President with Cadence Bank in Nashville. He holds a BSBA and an MBA from Southern Miss. He also holds a graduate degree in Banking from Louisiana State University and a master's degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Business Career & Internship Expo

USM Career Services hosted the Spring 2024 Business Career & Internship Expo in Scianna Hall this month. The semesterly event welcomed more than 155 students to interact with organizations recruiting for internships, training programs, part-time positions, and full-time career opportunities. 32 organizations from a large variety of industries participated, networking with students of all business majors and classifications.

Biloxi Shuckers' Director of Marketing Speaks to Sport Management Classes

Alumna Makenzie Crampton '20 & '22, director of marketing and social media for the Biloxi Shuckers, visited with Dr. Chris Croft’s Sport Marketing graduate class and Dr. Sabrina Reed’s Sport Sales Methods & Techniques undergraduate class to share her experiences, expertise, and talk all things marketing and Minor League Baseball. Schooner the Seagull, Biloxi Shuckers' mascot, tagged along to bring some pre-season excitement to the classroom!

School of Leadership Faculty and Students Attend Conference in Arlington, Virginia

School of Leadership faculty and students from the Human Capital Development program participated in a 4-day Academy of Human Resource Development Conference in Arlington, VA, this month. Drs. Quincy Brown, Heather Annulis, Casey Maugh-Funderburk, and Bhagyashree Barhate were in attendance along with Ph.D. candidates Alexis Barbarin, Ana Ruth Cortés, Cynthia Habeeb, Peter Kalejaiye, Roosevelt Morgan, Maurine Pace, and Jan Sims.

This group of impressive scholars contributed to the conference in various ways, such as the Future Scholars and Leaders Colloquium, where Ph.D. candidates shared their research for peer feedback. These candidates also gave poster presentations showcasing future research proposals, and full manuscript sessions presenting research finds and publications. Additionally, our faculty contributed to more than 10 research proposals and publications featured during the conference.

Peter Kalejaiya was awarded the Korea-SIG Sponsored TEAM-UP Grant Award for being the principal investigator of Cyberloafing behaviors among remote workers in multi-generational workspaces.

USM Business Students Advance to National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship and Conference

Four Southern Miss students advanced to the in-person second round of the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship and Conference (NCSSC) at the State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks. Dr. Chris Croft accompanied the team to the conference for mentorship and coaching. More than 200 students from 55 other schools and universities were in attendance, highlighting their skills in a competitive sports sales’ environment. Students competing include:

• Mikal Bolden—Junior, Sport Management, Meridian, MS
• Kovi Howze—Senior, Political Science, Petal, MS
• Drazen Moratzka—Graduate Student, Sport Management, Cheyenne, WY
• Madison Moucheron—Junior, Sport Management, Purvis, MS

After the virtual first round in the fall, the team claimed an overall No. 15 team ranking, with Moucheron ranked No. 53, and Moratzka ranked No. 89. In the Ticket Sales Championship round, Moratzka finished in Final 64 and Moucheron finished in Final 32 nationally. In the Quantum Quiz competition, Moucheron and Mikal Bolden finished in the Final 32 of the competition. Group members had onsite locations with several sport organizations including New York Mets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Dolphins, and NASCAR.

USM Beta Alpha Psi Officers Attend Regional Meeting in Atlanta, GA

Four Southern Miss Business students attended the Beta Alpha Psi Regional Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia this month, along with the USM Faculty Advisor, Ms. Julia Bradley. While there, the officers gave a presentation on their chapter's strategies for retaining candidates and associates. Additionally, they attended several professional sessions that touched on topics such as personal brand, the new CPA exam format, and cryptocurrency, did team-building exercises with students from other university chapters, and took part in an etiquette lunch.