UK workers attention spans are suffering due to tech multi-tasking

Smartphones, laptops and tablets are being consulted during important meetings and work tasks, 53% believe this negatively affects concentration

Despite attention lapses, using multiple-devices can provide a more efficient and flexible working environment.

THE ATTENTION spans of time-poor UK workers are suffering as a result of multi-screening across their devices at work when they should be concentrating.

According to a survey of 1,002 UK workers in full or part-time employment carried out by Probrand.co.uk, 89% confess to ‘tech multi-tasking’ – or checking their devices during meetings.

A further 81% are also guilty of doing so when they are actually carrying out other tasks at work.

Checking emails is the number one task Brits will compulsively undertake in this manner. However, bosses need not worry too much, as in these cases at least, workers are it seems focused on something else that is related to work.

But it’s not all positive – as social media channels and instant messaging (including text messages, WhatsApp and more) followed in second and third place, according to the survey

Although 45% of those who do this kind of gadget-based multi-tasking find it actually helps them to be more efficient, 53% admit that their concentration actually suffers as a result.

The rise of multiple devices in the workplace in addition to the advent of remote cloud-based technologies mean that it’s never been easier for workers to be switched on 24/7 – but the research shows this isn’t always helpful.  

Some workers are being distracted by their devices during meetings, which can actually hamper productivity and focus.

However, there are benefits to having multiple devices in the workplace. Technology has drastically improved working practices and has enabled us to make all areas of our working lives more efficient – with much of this efficiency being driven by access to multiple devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets.  

This is the workforce of the future, where a fully mobile workforce can collaborate and continue working when travelling or outside the office.

This enterprise mobile movement is set to continue and those who fully embrace the multi-device environment will enable employees to work more flexibly and efficiently.

Matt Royle, Marketing Director at Probrand.co.uk

About Probrand: A Top 100 UK VAR with 25-years’ heritage, Probrand is the UK’s first marketplace for business IT, providing IT Products, managed IT services and IT solutions. The business has more than 15-years’ experience delivering award winning managed IT services and over 1,000 IT solutions annually to private and public sector organisations.