Emails while commuting ‘should count as work’

The study examined 5,000 rail passengers on commuter routes into London as wi-fi became more available.

“I am a busy mum and I rely on that time,” one commuter told researchers.

“It’s really important to my sanity that I can get work done on the train,” she said, on the Aylesbury to London route.

Never switching off

The study, to be presented at the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday, found that 54% of commuters using the train’s wi-fi were sending work emails.

Others were using their own mobile phone connections for work emails.

Those on the way to work were catching up with emails sent ahead of the coming day – while those on the return journey were finishing off work not completed during regular working hours.
“It’s dead time in a way, so what it allows me to do is finish stuff and not work in the evenings,” said a commuter on the London to Birmingham route.

The study examined the impact of free wi-fi being upgraded on the London to Birmingham and London to Aylesbury routes.

It showed that as internet access improved it had the effective consequence of extending working hours, using laptops and mobile phones.

Business leaders recognised the difficulties of setting boundaries around such work emails and mobile technology – and warned it could damage productivity if work became too pervasive.

“This increasing flexibility has the potential to radically shift the work-life balance for the better – but it also leaves open the door to stress and lower productivity,” said Jamie Kerr, of the Institute of Directors.

“With the concept of clocking on and clocking off no longer straightforward, defining where leisure begins and work ends will be vital for both employers and individuals, as well as a complex task for regulators.”

Matthew Percival, the CBI’s head of employment, said: “A common-sense approach is needed, giving individuals the tools to manage their work-life balance.”

Source :  BBC.COM