Mobile tech transforming work-life balance, say 90 percent Indians

Mumbai
The Economic Times
At least nine out of ten Indians have welcomed the explosion in mobile communications devices saying it enhances personal productivity and transforms work- life balance, findings from a global workplace survey say.

The boom in communications technology has created a more flexible and adaptable workforce, it said.

"More than 90 percent of Indian respondents say mobile communications technology such as smartphones and laptops have boosted personal productivity and, for many, transformed their work-life balance," the Kelly Global Workforce Index said.

About 83 percent of those surveyed said their ability to work outside office, yet remain in contact, was a "positive development", even though they ended up working longer hours.

"Many employees now have the capacity to work from home or away from the office, at any hour of the day, and this is proving positive for productivity and work-life balance. Even though some are working longer hours, this is largely offset by the greater freedom and flexibility of the virtual workplace," Kelly Services, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Dhiren Shantilal, said.

The phenomenon, spearheaded by Gen Y employees in the age group of 18-29 years, places a much higher priority on a sound work-life balance, the survey said.

"Gen X, aged between 30-47 years of age, are the most attracted to the idea of telecommuting, working from home and working remotely. Those in the age group of 48-65 years, called baby boomers, are the least happy," it noted.

However, new technologies have spread productivity benefits across all generations as a total of 72 percent said that productivity was much better.

"Employers who use technology to enhance working arrangements are also likely to reap productivity benefits and to be seen as employers of choice, Shantilal said.

The Kelly Global Workforce Index surveyed nearly one lakh people across 34 countries, including roughly 5,000 in India.