The average British worker spends as many as 120 hours per year using their smartphone in the workplace, according to research.
Research of 2,012 UK adults carried out by gadgets and technology retailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk, reveals more than three quarters 84 per cent admit to using their smartphones during working hours.
Three quarters (78 per cent) regularly respond to text messages during working hours, and 59 per cent regularly take personal phone calls whilst working.
Half (52 per cent) admit to answering instant messages via platforms such as Whatsapp and Facebook, whilst 9 per cent have sent a Snapchat from their workplace.
Two fifths (44 per cent) of respondents said their workplace permitted reasonable use of smartphones.
More than a third (38 per cent) regularly check their social media accounts while in the workplace.
Those working in marketing were the worst culprits, 98 per cent admit to peeking at smartphones, followed by those working in information and communications (96 per cent).
Mark Kelly, marketing manager at LaptopsDirect.co.uk, says, ‘It’s no surprise that we are addicted to our smartphones however overuse during working hours can add up, leaving a serious shortfall in productivity. Although companies monitor and prohibit the use of social media during the working day, the research shows that there is still a large amount of people continuing to use their device.
‘Use of a smartphone and social media in the workplace can lead to hundreds of thousands of hours in lost productivity per year, which could cost UK companies millions of pounds.’
One in ten (14 per cent) have been told off for using smartphones at work, while just 4 per cent have been disciplined for use of their own tech during work time.
For more information, visit http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk.
The top ten business sectors who use a smartphone:
- Marketing – 98 per cent
- Information and communications – 96 per cent
- Creative and photographic – 92 per cent
- Professional service (law, accountancy) – 86 per cent
- Trades (construction, plumbing) – 78 per cent
- Manufacturing – 74 per cent
- Retail – 64 per cent
- Transportation – 48 per cent
- Education – 44 per cent
- Healthcare – 23 per cent
Further reading on using a smartphone
