Mobile Device Assignment - Hello, Hello... Excuse me, I have to take this!

 

“Hello, Hello.. Excuse me I have to take this!” How many times have we heard this in meetings, conferences, even at the dinner table?

Mobile Devices have become an intricate part of our daily lives and even our work environment. These devices offer convenience and on-demand access to information like never before seen. When these devices are used properly, they can bring a greater sense of productivity. But, there are some other issues that are coming to light as well.

Types of Mobile Devices

·      Smartphones

·      Tablets

·      PDA

·      GPS

How are Mobile Devices being used in Business?

Mobile devices are used in many ways for business. They can be used to promote a business and follow trends through Twitter or Facebook. Mobile devices allow us to stay in contact at all times with anyone and everyone no matter where we are. An employer can contact an employee at anytime to have them complete a task. The employee can access necessary data and information with the whim of a touch to a smartphone or tablet. The entire computing environment has been revolutionized.

Mobile devices can also have GPS enabled so an employer can track the location of employees. This is very handy if the employee is delivering items or traveling.

Issues of Mobile Devices in Business…

With the capability of an employer contacting an employee at anytime of the day or night comes the question of compensation. With a traditional employment scenario, the employee has a set work schedule and is compensated for this time during the set schedule. Now, the lines have become blurred. If the employee is contacted during their normal work schedule then everything is fine, but what happens when the employee is contacted during a vacation or when they are at home and not working?  How is the employee to be compensated?

Another issue of mobile devices in the work place is productivity. Yes, if the devices are used as intended by the employer, the productivity can be high. But, what about when an employee is texting a friend or family member every few minutes instead of working, or what about facebooking about an upcoming trip or vacation? How will this be handled or is it allowed?

Mobile devices are great tools when respected, but can also cause many problems. We have become an on-demand society where we want our connections now and not wait until we get to a PC.