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ALMOST HALF OF businesses in the EU gave some type of portable device – like a smartphone or laptop – to their staff for business use.
The number grew for EU27 large enterprises to 88 per cent, compared with 71 per cent of medium and 43 per cent of small enterprises.
The most popular devices given to employees were laptops (40 per cent), but they were only marginally ahead of other devices such as smartphones (39 per cent).
In Ireland, 50 per cent of businesses provided a portable device, with companies providing laptops and other portable devices in equal numbers.
Although the level of internet access and fixed broadband internet connection in January 2012 – when the countries were surveyed – was high, the amount of businesses providing devices with a mobile internet connection to at least some members of staff varied widely.
In Romania, the number stood at 22 per cent, followed by Greece (27 per cent), and Bulgaria (31 per cent). This was compared with much higher numbers in Finland (78 per cent), where the number jumps to 99 per cent for larger businesses.
The main reason that staff were given these devices was to access email, followed by allowing them to access information on the internet.
Does your company supply staff with smartphones or laptops?
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it is a smart move for a company to do this as more often than not the employee will be working and answering emails on their own time.
this unpaid overtime far exceeds the capital cost of procuring the equipment
That’s against most companies cellular policies…They are not allowed to be given technology to increase availability or responsiveness and managerial employees are not allowed to put forward a requirement to check or return off hours email. The productivity comes from increased flexibility and responsiveness during working hours…
It can get all a bit much though. Friday before last I was on a work call and missed another work call so I’m being sent a second work ‘hot-phone’ in case my attention urgently is needed when I’m already on a call…
It takes some adapting to but it’s the future. Now I’m the tool on the dart talking on a phone, emailing on another phone and have to put down the first phone to answer a third
Would ‘call waiting’ not do the same trick?
I don’t like it… I’m not going to put the conference on hold 3 times in 45mins for what could be a bloody telemarketer or colleague who didn’t pay attention to my status ‘on a call’ and who’s just calling to tell me they sent me some email…
Andrew
I presume your with a public body from your responce as this wouldn’t be the experience of most in private sector.
What the……these haven’t been taxed yet?
Why would they be taxed?
I think it’s an odd survey. If you never work away from your desk then a desktop is always better (faster for money, bigger screen etc). I have a laptop and smartphone as I am regularly out on customer sites. It depends totally on your job.
have your say