Computers in the workplace (is 912 A4)

Hours of onthejob computer use

Computer users spent an average of 16.2 hours weekly on their machines (

Table 5

). Women spent 

slightly more hours using computers than men, reflecting their predominance in clerical and other office 

jobs that are extensively automated. Across occupations, average weekly hours ranged from a low of 

between 8 and 9 in social sciences, teaching, and primary occupations to over 20 in science and 

engineering, and clerical occupations. The latter occupations also had large majorities of employees 

using computers. In terms of industry, agriculture had very low weekly hours (about 5), compared with a 

high of 21 in business services. In the labour force generally, nearly half the computer users operated 

their machines 11 hours or less weekly; almost two-fifths used them 20 hours or more. 

 

Table 5