America’s smartphone addiction is hitting the workplace, as half of employees admit to using their phones while on the clock. This trend isn’t limited to remote employees with limited supervision. While many companies are cracking down on remote work, 51% of the people using their phones during the workday are already in-office employees at least part of the time. Surprisingly, many of these employees claim that their smartphone usage has no impact on their productivity and may even increase it.
We’ve got the details surrounding smartphone usage by employees and the steps you can take if your phone is interfering with your work. We can also help you find a cheaper phone plan if your habit is biting into your wallet.
Workplace smartphone statistics: How many American employees use their phones on the clock?
Half of Americans admit to using their phones at work, but some generations are more guilty of the practice.
- 50% of Americans admit to using their phone on the clock.
- Millennials are the most likely generation to be on their phones at work, followed by Gen Xers.
- 51% of people who use phones at work are in-office workers all or part of the time.
- Social media apps are the most popular things to check during work hours, followed by video and music streaming apps.
- 34% of people browse shopping apps at work, while 27% are gaming on the clock.
- Over half of people who use their phone at work say their productivity has stayed the same, even when they frequently check their phone, and 1 in 3 say it actually increases their productivity.
With employees surfing social media or playing mobile games, it's easy to see how managers would worry about smartphone distractions in the workplace. That said, there are appropriate times to use phones at work that can provide benefits to employees. Great examples are streaming music during a repetitive task or workers rewarding themselves with a quick mental break during the day.
Productivity and phone use: How to cut back
If you discover your phone is impacting your productivity at work, here are some quick ways to cut down on the habit:
- Smartphone focusing features: Devices have built-in features to limit unnecessary notifications and increase productivity, such as the iPhone’s Focus Mode.
- Measure your usage: Measure which apps are sucking up your time and mobile data using one of these data monitoring apps.
- Turn off your device: If the temptation to use your phone is too great, turn it off during the workday unless you need it.
Remember that smartphone addiction can also impact other things in your life. You may also be tempted to drive distracted or ignore your friends and family.
Need a cheaper data plan for scrolling at work? We promise we won’t tell your boss.
If you’re part of the majority of Americans who believe that smartphone usage doesn’t impact their productivity at work, you should consider getting a cheaper phone plan. Most people are paying too much for their wireless plan. Luckily, smaller carriers called MVNOs offer discounted service on the nation's leading networks. You can get a phone plan operating on the AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon networks for a fraction of the cost.
Here are some of the most popular MVNO plans:
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Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
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XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
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US Mobile
Unlimited Starter Plan
$25.00/mo
$20/mo. for 6 months; $25/mo. thereafter
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Cricket
Supreme Unlimited Plan
$55.00/mo
with AutoPay; $60 for the first month.
+ $9.99 Upfront
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Methodology
We surveyed 1,000 American adults using Pollfish. Results are post-stratified.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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