We were promised a future where technology would make work easier. Faster computers, the internet, video calls, online spreadsheets—hell, even AI. Yet here we are, still grinding away at the same long hours, still commuting to the office, still answering emails at 10 PM. So, what was the point of all this tech if we’re just working more than ever?

Tech Made Us Faster, But Not Freer

Productivity has skyrocketed over the last few decades, thanks to automation, collaboration tools, and instant communication. But instead of giving employees more breathing room, companies have piled on more work. We didn’t get shorter workweeks—we got Slack messages at midnight and an expectation to be available 24/7.

Let’s talk numbers:

• From 1979 to 2020, productivity in the U.S. increased by 61.8%, but wages only grew by 17.5%. (Economic Policy Institute)
• Since 1980, employee output has surged by 253%, yet work hours have barely budged. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 60% of employees report doing 2-3x the workload compared to five years ago—without a pay increase. (Gallup)

The Meeting Apocalypse

Meetings were supposed to be streamlined with Zoom and Teams, but they’ve only multiplied like corporate rabbits. In fact, the time spent in meetings has increased by 252% since 2020 (Microsoft Work Trends Index). That means:

• More time talking about work, less time actually doing it.
• More people burning out from meeting fatigue.
• More pointless discussions that could’ve been an email.

The Remote Work Lie

Remember when remote work was supposed to be the great equalizer? Turns out, it just gave companies an excuse to track every move we make. Mouse movement tracking? Keystroke monitoring? Executives don’t trust employees, even though productivity is higher than ever.

• Remote workers put in an extra 2.5 hours per day on average compared to in-office employees. (NordVPN)
• 45% of workers say they’re in more meetings now than before remote work. (Harvard Business Review)

So… Where’s the Payoff?

If employees are working more, producing more, and staying available around the clock, why are wages stagnant? Why are people still burning out? Why are we pretending this is normal?

Technology was supposed to make work easier, not harder. Instead, it’s just made companies expect more work, faster, and for the same pay. If we want to fix this, we need to stop treating technological progress like an excuse to wring every last ounce of energy out of employees.

How HR Can Actually Fix This

HR professionals have a real opportunity to shift the narrative and build a workplace that truly benefits from technology—not just by increasing efficiency but by redefining how we work. Start by cutting unnecessary meetings, enforcing boundaries on work hours, and advocating for actual workload management. Stop measuring productivity by hours worked and start focusing on results. Push leadership to reinvest productivity gains into better pay, real flexibility, and a culture that prioritizes employee well-being over performative hustle. The technology is there—now it’s time to use it for employees, not just for profit.

What Do You Think?

Are you working harder than ever despite all the tech that’s supposed to help? Drop a comment or share your story—because if we’re all stuck in this mess, we might as well talk about it.