Doing several things at once is called multitasking. From an ergonomics viewpoint, there is little to recommend it: many studies show the additional tasks represent distractions that impair efficiency in the workplace, while introducing safety risks. At the same time, the ability to multitask is widely seen as an asset, and is often listed as a job requirement. Multitasking is often in the news, weighing in on one side or the other of the debate.
A recent article in The Tribune-Review in North Carolina noted that a characteristic of the Millennial Generation