7. Changing work patterns

Technology has led to a huge change in working hours. People who traditionally only worked 9-5, Monday to Friday, may now find that they have to work evening shifts, night shifts or weekends in order to provide the service that customers expect. This can leave them feeling tired and stressed.

Customers expect to be able to call their bank or building society in the evenings, sometimes even at 3am - someone has to be there to answer the telephone.

Customers expect to be able to buy their goods online at midnight - someone has to be there to ensure that the website is working correctly and that the servers don't have any problems.

Customers expect goods to be on the supermarket shelves when they want them. Lorries have to be driven night and day to ensure this and so route planners need to be available to replan a route when a delay occurs.

With ICT, we are gradually becoming a 24 hours a day society.