Advantages and Disadvantages
The development of technology significantly affected modern companies’ approach to business. Almost every person has a smartphone now, and this device is no longer used just for communication. Smartphones are similar to computers, having enough power to create, share, and publish media files. Moreover, many industries are transferring their content into the online world, further linking technology and one’s ability to work. From this point of view, using smartphones for work seems to have many advantages. Employees are not bound to the office, and they can negotiate different working hours that are comfortable for them and their customers. International deals can be completed easily with access to the internet, and people working in social media or news industries can respond to new events instantly. However, the lack of employees’ physical presence in an office also has drawbacks. Managers and business owners have to monitor workers’ adherence to the plans and create new systems for keeping everyone informed about any business-related updates. Organizational culture may also suffer if employees do not know each other and, sometimes, their clients, personally.
Ethical Issues
Another major issue of using a smartphone for work is the lack of distinction between work and off-hours. Many employees are now expected to be available after work and during vacations or the weekend. This may raise some ethical issues, blurring the line between work and rest. The established 40-hour working week does not include phone-based conversations or urgent responses, thus putting employees’ pay and benefits into question. Furthermore, workers need to rest in-between working hours to recharge their energy and deal with other duties – family, friends, personal growth, and relaxation. People who are feeling the pressure always to be available may experience changes in their physical and mental well-being, apart from performing poorer and viewing their job negatively.