Gaby
A new study suggests that banning personal phones in the workplace can be detrimental. In fact, using personal mobile devices not only does not decrease employee productivity but also helps them manage stress.
In recent years, many managers have implemented a ban on personal phone use in the office. However, employees can now fight for their right to private conversations, citing the findings of this new research.
What Researchers Discovered
A team of researchers from the National University of Galway (Ireland) and the University of Melbourne (Australia) is convinced that personal mobiles help workers reduce their stress levels.
A ban on phone use in the office can exacerbate conflicts between work and personal life for employees. This, in turn, can have serious consequences for productivity, job satisfaction, employee turnover, and overall staff well-being. This was reported by Professor Eoin Whelan, who led the study.
The research was conducted at the European branch of a global pharmaceutical company, the name of which the researchers did not disclose.
This branch served as a case study for the researchers, as it had prohibited personal mobile use since the 1990s. The branch’s management justified this decision with health and safety concerns, claiming that employees could be distracted while working with hazardous chemicals.
Employees repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the ban, stating that it made them feel isolated from reality.
Interestingly, upper management also disapproved of the branch managers’ decision. They believed that such a ban made the branch appear technophobic, which could hinder its competitiveness, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Over the course of a year, the researchers observed four dozen employees at the branch who were allowed to use their personal smartphones at work as part of the study. They also considered employees who voluntarily adhered to the ban and left their phones outside the workplace.
What Scientists Learned
The researchers reached conclusions about the appropriateness of such a ban through a series of detailed interviews with the staff.
Despite management’s concerns that personal smartphones would interfere with work, productivity did not decline after the ban was lifted.
Moreover, the level of conflict between work and personal life significantly decreased among those employees who had access to their phones compared to those who did not.
Employees who used their mobiles also reported that throughout the day, they could participate in resolving family matters. This positively impacted their relationships with loved ones. The ability to communicate personally also meant that during those hours, employees were not in a state of stress.
The research team believes that their findings are groundbreaking. They will contribute to a balance between technology, work, and personal life. The scientists will offer practical ideas to organizations looking to create a healthier work environment.
According to Professor Whelan, instead of banning smartphone use in the office, a more effective strategy could be to foster a completely different organizational climate. For example, a ban on personal phone conversations could be implemented in the cafeteria or during meetings, with employees self-regulating compliance.
Ultimately, as the study leader noted, managers need to be aware of the unpredictable consequences of banning personal smartphones.
