I'll admit, I have my days (or weeks) where I get sick of my BlackBerry. Love the device, but hate the ball/chain feel. There are times where I get so tired of e-mail that I will log onto my BIS account, and temporarily delete my work e-mail accounts for a period of time (typically, a weekend - I know, not really anything major). And then I sit there and think "am I the only one that checks e-mail and does work when I'm not at work?" Then I realize that the answer to that question is a resounding NO.
Though I subscribe to the theory that in the United States, we spend far more time on our BlackBerry devices, a UK-based study has concluded that, on average, citizens spend an extra 15 hours working via their BlackBerry. But despite a mandatory BlackBerry blackout, what can be done about this? It seems as if some companies simply expect you to be available when you're off of the clock, should anything go wrong. Ignoring these requests can put your job in jeopardy and make it quite stressful - as an avid BlackBerry user, it drives me nuts when I look down and see that little red light blinking. I simply HAVE to read it. It's just one message, right? According to the study, the recession may be the thing to blame:
"The recession has forced everyone to become more productive and for those with access to work at home, this is an opportunity for them to catch up or get ahead. With email on tap, employees with smartphones are able to respond a lot quicker and also get themselves prepared for the working day ahead by checking their email first thing."
You get where I'm going with it. Perhaps work will integrate it into the typical work week; they'll say something to the effect of "work in the office 25 hours a week, and spend the remaining 15 hours working from home, chained to your computer and BlackBerry." Or maybe we'll keep it the way it is; you know, with drivers not paying attention because they're too busy responding to that ever-so-urgent e-mail from work. Only time will tell...
Source: IntoMobile
