The line between personal and work life is becoming increasingly blurred, as employees find it more difficult to switch off once they leave the office.
Findings from Roy Morgan Research show that not only are workers likely to log into work accounts after they’ve finished for the day, but they are also doing increased amounts of unpaid overtime. One in five people was found to have accessed their work remotely, while 11 per cent perform tasks outside of work hours that they’re not paid for.
CEO of Roy Morgan Michele Levine said: “Twenty-four-hour wireless internet access means many employees can potentially log-in from anywhere on any device at any time, whether in a cafe on the weekend, when sick at home on a weekday, or even on holidays.
“It’s easy to see how this could be good and bad for both businesses and workers.”
The figures showed individuals who remotely access work networks are nearly twice as likely to do unpaid work from home as those who do not. These people were also shown to be more likely to be dissatisfied in their current role.
Companies may benefit from putting policies in place to dictate what information can be accessed remotely. Having a legal expert on your side when drawing up commercial contracts is a good idea to ensure all employees are aware of their obligations in and outside of the workplace.
Ernst & Young’s (EY) inaugural Digital Australia: State of the Nation 2014 report explained the need for employers to mitigate the impact of workers who use their own devices. EY Technology, Media and Entertainment and Telecommunications Leader David McGregor explained this technology opens up a range of opportunities – but companies also need to be aware of the potential pitfalls.
For assistance with any area of commercial law, get in touch with the team at McCarthy Durie Lawyers.
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