GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 163
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many workplaces, online communication is now more common than face-to-face meetings.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer:
Digital communication is becoming increasingly prevalent in modern workplaces. While there is a potential for the loss of camaraderie of colleagues, I put forward the notion that the benefits online communication brings for employees and managements outstrip the drawbacks it causes.
Critics of digitalization of workplaces very often point out that online communication erodes natural rapport between colleagues. The absence of physical proximity to co-workers affects a person’s ability to hone their interpersonal competencies, and therefore their ability to cement relationships in significant ways. They go on arguing that workers become isolated and lose their face to face interpersonal skills which ultimately impact negatively on the workplace relationship they have, and thereby impeding work progress. Moreover, “no physical cues” is another demerit of digital communication. In simple words, without gestures and facial expressions or the ability to react instantly, there is a huge risk of misunderstanding.
Despite the potential risk of ruining rapport between colleagues, communicating online is cost-effective for organizations and convenient for employees. This means that it reduces a range of costs such as less leasing office space as well as the remote working facility for employees. Not only is it time and cost-effective, but also communicating online helps reduce our carbon footprint by commuting less, this in turn, ameliorate the environment. A further advantage is increased efficiency and productivity. Put simply, online communication can ensure the flow of information and ease of communication between executives working at different tiers. Visually interactive video-conference, for instance, provides employees and customers with vital images that enable them to interpret and collaborate appropriately over a vast distance. In consequence, decisions are made faster, assignments complete on-time, and productivity increases accordingly.
To conclude, digital communication has come into vogue in the modern workplace and face-to-face meetings are decreasing as a result. Despite some demerits, which we can overcome by being more proactive and engaged in our interactions with our coworkers, this brings huge benefits for workers and employers and streamline the work process.