Widespread Use of Wireless Devices Not Creating Anxiety, Survey Finds
Does being “too connected” to your boss, colleagues, spouse and others stress you out? Or is your wireless device your lifeline?
A recent survey finds that, for many people, the electronic leash is actually comforting and being out of touch is what really makes them crazy. But with all the convenience the wireless world brings, it also creates etiquette issues.
According to the Yahoo! HotJobs annual virtual workplace survey, 37 percent of employees feel more relaxed than stressed when they are connected to work by a wireless device. Another 42 percent of those surveyed are altogether indifferent to their wireless devices, feeling neither relaxed nor stressed by them.
With 38 percent of respondents describing their wireless device as a necessity, these gadgets have become exponentially more integrated into workplace culture:
The majority, 55 percent, of respondents use more than one wireless device to stay connected when outside of work.
More than half, 55 percent, of respondents say that their office supports a virtual workplace culture – allowing employees to choose from where they'd like to work.
Twenty-eight percent, of respondents say that having the freedom of remote access via a wireless device helps them work more effectively than when they are in the office.
Almost one quarter of survey respondents admit to only putting their wireless device down when they are sleeping, and only 5 percent of respondents admit to being 100 percent offline when not in the office – down from 8 percent last year.
Rudeness Made Easier
Along with the widespread acceptance of wireless devices comes new ways for people to be rude. Of those surveyed, 18 percent admit to being reprimanded for having bad manners when it comes to their wireless devices. This behavior extends in and out of work with another 39 percent saying that they respond almost instantaneously when they receive a professional email or call outside of business hours.
As wireless devices become further cemented into corporate culture, a spectrum of acceptable and unacceptable behavior has emerged. Inappropriate wireless device etiquette includes:
Answering a work call or email during personal time after work hours.
Talking on the phone while in close quarters (such as on a train, plane, bus).
Talking on the phone while in the restroom.
Answering the phone or emails while at a business dinner.
Accepting a personal call while in a meeting or presentation.
WWJ e-newsletters sign up WWJ Newsradio 950 e-newsletters bring automotive, business, technology, entertainment, and home news and information to your desktop. Interested in a complimentary subscription? Please register as a new reader by clicking here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sponsored Links:
WWJ Newsradio 950 is Detroit's only all-news radio station and is the leader in Detroit radio news. Listen online to WWJ-AM 950 for live, local Detroit news, up-to-the-minute Detroit traffic, Detroit sports, Detroit business and Detroit community information. WWJ Newsradio 950 is an award winning radio station and you can listen online and podcast on demand Detroit news, Detroit Construction Alerts, Detroit School Closings, Winter Survival Guide and learn more about our Business Breakfasts. www.wwj.com.
Does being “too connected” to your boss, colleagues, spouse and others stress you out? Or is your wireless device your lifeline? 
