Whether you're holding an iPhone, a BlackBerry, an Android or any other kind
of smartphone, chances are that your gadget is letting your work life creep into
your personal time.
According to the Randstad Workmonitor Report for Q1
2012 released today, majority of employees in Singapore struggle to achieve a
work-life balance as technology permeates daily lives.
Of 405 employees surveyed in Singapore, around seven in ten (71 per cent)
receive calls or emails outside regular office hours, and 67 per cent when they
are on annual leave. Nearly half (45 per cent), say their employers expect them
to be available 24/7, with the figure rising for people aged 45-54 (50 per cent)
and for people aged 25-34 (49 per cent).
Randstad Regional Director, Singapore & Malaysia, Ms Karin Clarke says
that modern technology is having a significant impact on the way we work.
Sixty per cent of workers say they feel they fall short of their own
expectation if they don't respond to an email or phone call immediately.
"The increasing popularity of smartphones means more and more people are
connected to the internet on the go. This accessibility has a knock-on effect
where workers feel obliged to answer emails and calls outside of work hours,"
said Ms Clarke.
Conversely, close to 2/3 of respondents are bothered by people who answer
their phone or respond to emails during a meeting, yet about a third admit to
doing so.
At the same time, however, more than half who replied to the survey prefer
face-to-face contact rather than phone or email. The same proportion also feels
that they receive more information on a daily basis than they can process.
Said Ms Clarke: "Business leaders should be clear in their expectations for
how 'switched on' they expect their staff to be. For example, for people in a
client-facing role there may be a need to respond instantly around the clock but
for others, replying on Monday morning is soon enough.
"At the same time, employees should set their own boundaries and ensure they
spend uninterrupted time with friends and family and allow themselves the chance
to relax," she continued.
The survey also showed that employee mobility remains high, with one-in-five
(22 per cent) people having changed roles in the past six months, despite 44 per
cent having been in their previous role for less than two years. This is mainly
due to better employment conditions, which include higher pay or better
work-life balance.
The Workmonitor Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures
expectations surrounding the likelihood of changing employers within a six month
time frame, provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and
employee trends. In addition to measuring mobility, it provides insights into
employee satisfaction and personal motivation, as well as explores sentiments
around key trends shaping the world of work for employees each quarter. |
No comments:
Post a Comment