The iPass survey also asked mobile workers if mobile technology had any effect on their work/life balance. Only 11 percent saw mobile technology as a detriment to their work/life balance, while 35 percent thought it gave them more work/life balance. Most mobile employees (44 percent) thought it was situational, sometimes helping with work/life balance and other times hindering it.
Mobile maniacs (23 percent) were more likely to see mobility as a detriment to their work/life balance compared to mobile masters (13 percent), the mobile majority (11 percent), and the mobile minority (5 percent). The mobile minority are more likely to claim improved work/life balance due to mobile technology (46 percent), compared to the mobile majority (34 percent), mobile masters (32 percent), and mobile maniacs (25 percent):
Figure 7. Does mobile technology give you more or less work/life balance?
Work/Life Balance Comments
“Without mobile communication, I could not work effectively. With it, I can work flexibly from home or virtually anywhere which allows me to fulfill my role as a father and husband better and, amazingly, I can achieve the extended working day required to support my job. My job involves dealing with people as far flung as Hong Kong and Vancouver – with the countries in-between – on an almost daily basis; this role does not fit at all with a 9-5 office-bound approach.”
- Systems manager at a large bank
“When I first learned how to use a Palm Pilot in the late 90′s, technology has been my friend. I can get so much more done, in less time. This allows me to either 1) get a lot more done in the same time as others, or 2) get all my work done and relax more.”
- Director, manufacturer
“I can work from home, airports, Starbucks, and hotels when traveling. It gives good balance between work and family time.”
- Engineer, chemical company
