Work, in many parts of the world, has become much less physically demanding.  Specialized, labor-saving machines and technology have tended to lighten the physical load for a high percentage of people in much of the developed world.  One would think that the result would be a happier, more carefree workplace and work-life.  This is most often not the case.  I will illustrate with a brief review of where I live in America
I live in the Central Valley of California.  A large number of people in this area make the daily commute to San Francisco which is approximately a one and one-half to two hour drive in order to live the life-style they desire.  The eight hour work day has now become 12 hours.  Simply not leaving the house in the morning with in a 15 minute window can make a huge difference in when you get to work.  Child-care, meal preparation, house payments, and just living adds to the stress.
The so-called information age has enabled the collection of information at an unprecedented rate and volume.  Virtually, anything we need to know or investigate is at our finger tips.  In many areas this can be a real boon.  Science and medicine are two examples that come to mind immediately.
The sharing of information is, virtually, immediate.  Results of experiments and tests of theories that used to take months or years, can now be examined and communicated within minutes.  Financial and other business decisions can be made almost instantaneously. The saving of lives and the solving of urgent issues in such a timely manner are certainly benefits.  The world has become a much smaller place. 
It would appear that this incredible onslaught and availability of information has created a need-to-know-right-now mentality that has spread to many areas of our lives. This can be a real stressor.  The proliferation of laptop computers and the perceived need for cell (mobile) phones are two examples that come to mind immediately.  
Now, thanks to modern technology, we can be reached much of the time so we are able to work more of the time.  One could argue that there are people who can now work from home because computers and cell phones have made communications so fast and convenient.  While this is true in some cases the number of people who are in a position to benefit from working from home is abysmally small. 
To summarize, we can benefit in many ways from the amount of information that we can be easily accessed with a speed which I often find mind-boggling.  However, this comes at a high cost.  We can now be reached 24/7 in one form or another.  Although the majority of us dont have to work as hard physically, many of us are now available to work longer hours.  We have longer distances to travel, with higher costs, more responsibility, and a level of stress that it is unprecedented.  Its physical effects can be seen in the level of obesity, heart disease, and other stress-related diseases and conditions.  Work is not what it used to be.