Chief Executives are spending a third of their work time – worth £27,500 – scrolling through Facebook and their personal emails on their smartphones, according to a new study.
Smartphones are the fastest-selling gadget in history with around 2 billion people using them across the world each day. Smartphone addiction is a popular topic that ironically saturates the internet with articles and self-help guides to try and help people tackle their addiction. But how far does our addiction really go?
Researchers polled 2,000 working adults and found that during work hours, half of Brits touch their smartphone between 1-3 times every ten minutes, and 5 per cent reach for their devices over 10 times in a ten minute period.
Over a quarter of Brits admitted to spending between 2-3 minutes on their mobiles each time, with 5 per cent admitting they spend over 10 minutes browsing their device each time they check it.
The worst offenders, using their phones most often were Executives and Chief Executives. Amazingly, 11 per cent of Directors even admitted to using Tinder whilst at work, while 61 per cent of apprentices say they never use their phones during working hours.
Chief Executives who use their phone up to three times in every 10 minute period for personal use, for one minute at a time are being paid £27,487.20 a year to socialise on their smartphone.
The apps that Brits can’t stay away from during working hours were personal emails, Facebook and Whatsapp.
But it’s not just social networks Brits are lusting after in the office, as 3 per cent of 25-34 year olds said they watch Netflix whilst at work and 4 per cent of those surveyed admitted to searching for love on Tinder at work.
Andy Cartledge, Mobile Expert at e2save, said: “Smartphones are an integral part of society these days. Not only do they make our lives more efficient, they help us stay connected to the world around us, so it’s no surprise that many Brits find it hard to disconnect and keep their smartphones out of their hands whilst at work.
“Individuals need to ensure they are balancing their smartphone usage with their work lives and not allowing themselves to be distracted from their duties at work.”
