Columnist Bob Sullivan wrote an NBC News piece over the weekend that stated our ability to unplug and relax is “under assault” due to an average smartphone user checking his or her device 150 times per day or about once every six minutes. This means people who do check their smartphones that frequently do an extra five hours of, technically, unpaid labor.
Do you think this is a good or bad thing?
On one hand, you can say that people are becoming more efficient–getting tasks done for the sake of productivity and company loyalty. On the other hand, employees aren’t properly resting their minds and bodies for the upcoming work week, which can have negative effects on overall productivity.
ClockIn Portal allows for employees to actually clock in ON their smartphones. I mean, if you’re going to spend your weekends answering e-mails, talking to clients, or checking statistics, you might as well get paid for it. Of course, that’s really up to the employer. At least ClockIn Portal gives you the option of having a sort of mobile office.
Phyllis Korkki of the New York Times wrote that a growing body of evidence shows that taking regular breaks from mental tasks improves productivity and creativity, otherwise prolonged work can lead to stress or exhaustion. John P. Trougakos, an assistant management professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough and the Rotman School of Management said mental concentration is similar to a muscle and needs rest.
What do you think?
Should weekends be open to getting a head start on the workweek via technology, or should you minimize professional interaction in order to relax?
