Emerging breed of mobile workers is eroding traditional work patterns, requiring employers to respond
#GenMobile, a disruptive group of employees defined by their preference for mobility both in terms of the devices they use and their approach to work, have hit the workforce en masse according to new research.
#GenMobile, defined as mobile-focused workers aged between 18 to 35 on average, have a tendency for non-traditional work hours, demand flexible work locations over higher salaries and request reliable internet, asking for Wi-Fi versus 4G, 3G or wired connections, stated the study from Aruba Networks.
The report, which surveyed 5,000+ respondents worldwide, shows that the majority of #GenMobile are in the early stages of their career, own three or more connected devices (62%), and feel most productive when working from home (57%).
GenMobile are so attached to their mobile devices that they are 15 times more likely to give up coffee and seven times more likely to say goodbye to their televisions than their smartphones.
The report reveals that, rather than acting as an aide to the workday, #GenMobile are shaping their working lives around their mobile devices. With the ability to work effectively any time, any place and on any device, they expect employers to make the policy and structural changes necessary to enable their preferred form of working.
Nearly 58% of #GenMobile prefer Wi-Fi at the expense of other connections (4G, 3G or wired), while 51% declare that their mobile devices help them to manage their lives.
Over half of those surveyed (53%) would prefer to work from home two to three days a week than receive a 10% higher salary and nearly a third (32%) would rather have their employer pay for the smartphone of their choice than a 5% higher salary. Also, over four in ten (45%) believe they work most efficiently before 9am or after 6pm.
It is no surprise that almost half of #GenMobile (45%) want their cars connected but it is interesting to see that a fifth (20%) want their clothes or shoes to be connected in the next five years.
Also, tech at work is essential; 38% would rather be able to bring their own device to work than have an office with a window, and 53% would rather their company paid for their choice of device than provided them with lunch.
Aruba Networks believes that understanding and catering to #GenMobile's needs can be the key to a productive workforce, while also ensuring global companies are in a competitive position. For example #GenMobile are more likely than other groups to access mobile apps such as Facebook (17%) and Twitter (14%). But they are also 20% more likely to access and respond to work emails on their mobile device. For #GenMobile, mobile is second nature to both a work and personal life.
However, there remains space for human interaction in the life of #GenMobile. Nearly two thirds (63%) indicated that they still value the time when they can disconnect their devices, suggesting that companies must be able to provide effective downtime when it is needed.
'We've seen flexible working, BYOD and always-on connectivity growing for some time, but this report shows that it's now become a way of life for those in the modern workforce,' said Ben Gibson, chief marketing officer at Aruba Networks. 'What this report suggests is that #GenMobile won't have patience with companies who do not accommodate their mobile lives. In order to attract and keep the best employees, businesses need to start looking for solutions to ensure levels of empowerment and productivity in this emerging working world. Ultimately, many will have to totally redefine traditional work environments.'
Alongside the demand for increased mobility, the report calls for companies to take heed of #GenMobile associated technology requirements. For example, while the majority (70%) of the typical #GenMobile demands Wi-Fi or mobile broadband connectivity (12% more than average), operator-run technologies such as 3G and 4G are only preferred by 7% and 5% of respondents respectively.
'Making the necessary workplace changes needs to be supplemented with solid technology choices; employers will only succeed in motivating #GenMobile workers if they have the security and connections available to facilitate this shift,' added Gibson.
The increasing demand for flexible work styles is best illustrated in the US, where 79% of respondents declared that they feel most efficient when working at home. Respondents in the UK are also above average in this regard, with 72% stating that the home office is where they can be most productive.
The blend between work and personal device usage is best illustrated in South Africa, where 54% of respondents use their smartphone or tablet to check work emails and 46% use the same device to carry out mobile shopping. At 80%, this region also has the highest percentage of smartphone owners.
