For a lot of us, the Internet has made it possible to work from anywhere and connect to work at any time. Without a doubt, this 24/7 connectivity is both a blessing and a curse. According to a new survey by web conferencing firm InterCall, 30% of workers in the U.S. who use technology to do their jobs feel the need to stay connected to work 24/7, even during weekends, breaks and holidays. One in two workers also say that taking time off is becoming increasingly challenging.
Clearly, the current economic climate isn’t helping employees to relax. Almost 40% of all respondents noted that they are doing the job of two people because of the impact of the economic recession on their company. Today, 25% of workers think that their supervisors expect them to be online and connected to work after hours and that their job security depends on this. Almost 15% of respondents say that they plan to attend at least one work-related call or web meeting during their next vacation and 17% say that it is frowned upon if they don’t connect to work during their vacations.
Given all of these pressures, it would seem natural for most of these workers to feel at least some resentment towards technology in the workplace, but 72% of respondents argued that technology helps them to do their job better and 81% say that technology makes them more productive.
Do You Stay Connected to Work During After Hours, on the Weekend and on Vacation?
What about you? Do you feel the need to constantly check your work email while on vacation? Do you feel like you are expected to do so? Do you get anxious when you can’t check your work email? Or do you just check out, head for the beach and sip Mai Tais?
