device detox

January 30, 2015

In an age of constant connectivity, work habits are changing rapidly. Employees today can be reached 24/7 just about anywhere around the world, and traditional work hours and workplaces are giving way to flexible hours and virtual offices.

Mobile phones, laptops, and tablets ensure you are never more than a click away from colleagues. But despite terms such as “worliday” (a holiday combined with work) becoming more common in the corporate world, some parts of the global workforce are rebelling and moving in a different direction.

One example of the device detox movement is the “unplugged weekend,” where workers participate in three days of group activities with colleagues learning to draw, do yoga, and even take part in comedy workshops — all without access to electronic devices. The exercise is aimed at building teamwork without depending on technology.

Jim Stroud - Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report

5 tips for encouraging device detox


  1. find out current habits: Conduct surveys to understand how your workforce remains connected during non-working hours and if over-use of devices outside of work hours impacts employee engagement and levels of productivity.
     

  2. create good work guidelines: Establish clear guidelines on the use of technology during and after work hours. Encourage workers to establish their own boundaries
between work and life.
     

  3. conduct work-life workshops: Are your workers not getting enough downtime? Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of stepping away from the office. Show them how to unwind but still be productive. 




  4. be creative: Numerous organizations have found ways to help their employees
disconnect and grow less dependent on technology. Consider ways in which you can follow in their footsteps.
     

  5. be an enforcer as a last resort: Sometimes making individuals take good medicine can be a chore, but if your workers aren’t spending enough time away from the phone or computer, your organization might have to mandate breaks from work.
     

request the report > 

About the Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report:

Covering 25 of the most dynamic and pressing issues facing workers and employers right now, and the concerns they have for the future, our subject matter experts explore how these trends will affect organizations, and provide practical tips on how to cope with them.

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