Blurred Lines: Enterprise Mobility Edition

For the sake of employee productivity—and sanity—there have to be barriers between work and personal life. As enterprise mobility improves communication in work environments across a wide spectrum of industries, it also smudges the work-life lines for many employees.

Robin Thicke isn’t the only one who hates these blurred lines; research by MobileIron shows that 58 percent of Generation Mobile Workers (Gen M) are feeling the guilt on both ends as they struggle to keep work out of the home and vice versa (a concept known as “Shadow Tasking”). Gen M, according to the research, represents the mobile workforce between the ages of 18 and 34, as well as workers who have children under the age of 18 in their households. This demographic relies heavily on mobile technology for work and for play, and is therefore most susceptible to shadow tasking.   

In coordination with Harris Poll, MobileIron has found that in six developed nations including France, Germany, Japan, Spain, U.K. and the U.S, Gen M uses smartphones and tablets for 26 percent of the work they do, compared to 17 percent for all other age groups.  Further findings show that 82 percent of Gen M uses their mobile devices to complete at least one personal task per day during work hours. Conversely, 64 percent of Gen M uses their mobile device to complete a work task during off hours.

Most “shadow taskers” feel guilty about their actions. Fifty-eight percent expressed compunction for using mobile devices for personal reasons at work, while 61 percent have guilt for doing the opposite. In other words, more people feel remorse for letting work cutting into their personal lives than the other way around.

This raises the question, how can we help rid Gen M of some of this guilt? MobileIron suggests that corporations develop policies that address Gen M’s use of mobile devices, especially since supporting research reveals that 60 percent of Gen M would leave their current job if the use of mobile devices was prohibited. Not to mention, the age of BYOD and wearable tech is nigh, and both can influence the workplace in untold ways, further solidifying the need for crystal clear mobile device policies. The full study addresses some of the thought processes that will go into shifting work models resulting from the increasingly mobile-minded population.

Other intriguing, to say the least, shadow tasking trends highlighted by MobileIron include the following:

• French professionals are the most likely to do mobile work while driving.
• German professionals are the most likely to feel guilty when receiving personal communications at work.
• Japanese professionals are the least likely to do mobile work while watching TV.
• Spanish professionals are the most likely to do mobile work while using public transportation.
• U.K. professionals are the most likely to use mobile to monitor their home during the workday.
• U.S. professionals are the most likely to do mobile work while using the bathroom.

If all of these data points are true, Gen M may have bigger problem on their hands than guilt. Blurring the work and play line is one thing, but while on the road or in the bathroom?

Welcome to the wonderful and whacky world of enterprise mobility.