Generation Y, while never fully switching off from work when away from the office, would also refuse a job that banned them from personal social media access.
Boundaries between work and home lives continue to blur, with 48 percent of Australian office workers and 76 percent of managers, saying work overlaps into their home lives a minimum of twice per week. The work-life balance is being infringed most often (52 percent) due to using their home computer for work, with a growing number (38 percent) using a smart phone as an ‘always-on’ link to the office.
However, the research also shows work-life flexibility is a two-way stream, with many employers (45 percent) agreeing that employees should be able access the internet and social networking content from their work computer for personal reasons. Reassuringly, more than half of managers trust their employees to use the internet and social networking sites responsibly. Employees expect social media access in the workplace to such a degree that 20 percent of respondents were willing to turn down a job if the employer banned social media use during work.
Richard Turner, Chief Executive at Clearswift who conducted the ‘Generation STaNDby’ survey commented on the phenomenon of ‘life splicing’ blurring the work/life divide.
“Call it multi-tasking or life-splicing, but, fuelled by advances in technology, employees are increasingly blurring the boundaries between home and work. This report has shown that ‘Generation STaNDby’ employees now enjoy, and expect, greater levels of flexibility and mobility than ever before.”
In a concerning trend for employees use social networking sites at work, 29 percent of those surveyed had sent content via email or social networking sites that they wish they hadn’t, leaving the door open for leaks of potentially sensitive or damaging information.
Peter Croft, Managing Director at Clearswift Asia Pacific added “Many organisations view social networking as ‘social notworking’ but these results demonstrate that, locally at least, trust is critical to productive two-way employment relationships. However, we do strongly advocate all companies maintain an active, updated information management policy that is well-communicated to all employees, regardless of role.”
