Three-Quarters Use Same Mobile for Personal and Work Reasons

As more Americans use wireless devices like laptops, mobile phones and smartphones to stay connected, the line between personal time and professional time is increasingly blurred. According to new data from Yahoo! HotJobs, 75 percent of respondents say that they use their wireless device equally for both work and personal purposes. In fact, only 8 percent report that they are completely offline when away from the office and 27 percent admit to being so attached to their wireless device, they only leave it alone when they're sleeping.

"Wireless devices are powerful communications tools," says Susan Vobejda, vice president of marketing at Yahoo! HotJobs. "While they were intended to provide convenience and flexibility for workers' lives, they have changed the physical parameters of the workplace and extended the work day. Professionals can work from anywhere and connect at any time."

Nearly half (47 percent) of the professionals surveyed reported that they volunteered their "virtual" accessibility for work purposes with little external influence. Eighty-one percent stay in touch with a mobile phone, 65 percent use a laptop and a growing 19 percent have adopted smartphones ? full-featured mobile phones with personal computer-like functionality.

Footloose and Fancy-Free

The wide acceptance and flexibility that wireless devices offer may be attributed to the notion that these tools can enhance a professional's work-life balance. Of survey respondents:

• The majority (61 percent) agree that wireless devices make them feel like they have more freedom;
• Sixty-five percent say wireless devices allow them to work remotely and have a more flexible schedule;
• Almost half (48 percent) report that wireless devices allow them to spend more time with family and friends; and
• An overwhelming 70 percent agree that they are more productive thanks to a wireless device.

Ball and Chain

While the majority of survey respondents had favorable reactions to the value wireless devices offer, they also expressed the challenges of remaining constantly connected:

• A quarter (26 percent) of respondents feel that wireless devices keep them on a permanent corporate leash;
• Twenty-three percent say that they are easily distracted by work-related emails and calls during personal time; and
• A third (33 percent) find it more difficult to get their point across through electronic communication than a live conversation.

"Wireless devices have become a professional reality," continues Vobejda, "so it's important for people to set limits on when and how to disengage in order to maintain work-life balance. With 67 percent of respondents admitting to having used a wireless device to connect with work while on vacation, signs indicate that the American workforce may be facing burnout." "

Posted to the site on 4th April 2007