Why Smartphones in the Workplace Might Be Just the Distraction We Need

By SheSpeaksTeam Oct 27, 2014

For many of us, taking a little break to play on our smartphones is too tempting not to indulge in occasionally in the workplace. Unfortunately most employers frown upon your need to check in on whatever game you’re addicted to this week while working on the company’s dime. But after a recent study suggests employees who take breaks on smartphones are happier and more efficient in the office. employers may want to think twice about shutting down your Candy Crush Saga.

Ozy reports about the Kansas State University study that suggests when employees take “microbreaks” throughout the day on their smartphone it can mean a more positive work environment. Doctoral student Sooyeol Kim tracked smartphone usage on 72 fulltime employees.

What Kim found was that on average the workers spent about 22 minutes on their phones during an eight hour workday. Employees that used their phones for personal use like playing a quick game or checking in with friends or family also reported feeling happier at the end of the workday. Kim explains the benefits of smartphone use at work saying, “We found that employees can recover from some of their stress to refresh their minds and take a break.”

The study is quick to point out that a little smartphone use at work goes a long way, because lets face it – if we spend hours on our phones how will we get anything done? It’s also true that these “microbreaks” can be achieved in many ways that don’t involve a smartphone at all, like going for a cup of coffee or just taking a short walk to stretch your legs.

What do you think of the study that suggests a little smartphone usage in the workplace is actually beneficial?

Do you take “microbreaks” throughout your workday?