The image of the office worker chained to the desk is a fast-disappearing stereotype, but this increasingly mobile workforce needs better tools to make the most of its time, according to a new Telework Exchange study, "Out of Office: Federal Mobile Workforce Trends." The report found that just 18 percent of Federal employees work in their offices all day, every day, and of the 82 percent who spend work hours outside of the office (teleworking, traveling, working at alternate sites, or attending meetings at other locations), 29 percent said they are more mobile in 2008 than they were in 2007.
At the same time, however, the survey, which involved responses from 446 Federal workers, concluded that the productivity of mobile employees could be improved significantly if the government simply provided better support tools, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone that offers PC-like functionality.
According to study authors, 66 percent of employees who work outside of the office do not currently have access to a smartphone — despite the fact that 91 percent of employees who use a smartphone while mobile say the device helps them to be better organized, more responsive, and remain connected while on the job.
In fact, Federal employees who use a smartphone for work purposes report an average time savings/productivity gain of nearly one hour each day; finding an opportunity for the Federal government to save an estimated $37 million in additional productivity each day by equipping mobile employees, based on an average Federal hourly wage of $29.
The study concluded that Federal agencies can make the most of current and emerging mobile technology by taking the following three steps:
- Re-think the workplace by recognizing that employees are mobile now and are no longer tied to a fixed location
- Enable productivity by ensuring that mobile workers have the tools they need to stay connected, which in turn, will increase their responsiveness and efficiency
- Recognize that enabling the mobile workforce supports work/life balance for employees while meeting agency recruitment and retention goals
To view "Out of Office: Federal Mobile Workforce Trends" in its entirety, please visit
www.teleworkexchange.com/fedmobility/.
