Are you too connected to your project?

Being in constant contact for work-related matters is now the norm, according to a survey conducted by Jabra Australia. Three out of four office workers indicated they felt comfortable being in constant contact for work-related matters, with only 15 percent believing it caused significant stress.

Additionally, 60 percent of employees said they ‘seldom’ or ‘never’ turned off communication devices and applications, for both personal and business use, during work hours.

The survey revealed that Australian employees were happy to trade greater accessibility for increased workplace flexibility, including access to personal time during work hours.

“Historically, we’ve thought of being in an always connected workplace as an unhealthy thing, however employees are telling us that they are largely comfortable working in this kind of environment,” said Fulvio Toniotti, managing director of Jabra Australia and New Zealand. “They want the connectivity in their personal life to match that of their professional life.”

Respondents aged between 45 and 54 were the most likely to embrace accessible workplace culture with 73 percent saying they were almost always contactable. Under half of the 18-24-year-old demographic indicated the same. Women appeared to deal better with constant communication better than men with 77 percent saying they didn’t find it difficult to keep on top of work communication, compared to 67 percent of men.

The respondents used communication devices ranging from email (90 percent) and deskphones (84 percent) to mobile phones (51 percent) and social media applications (14.75 percent in the 25-34-year age group; 6.25 percent in the 45-54-year age group).

More than half of employees worked outside the office at least once a fortnight, with 12 percent working outside the office each day, the survey stated.

Is this the norm for your project?