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Emails While Commuting 'Should Count as Work', Researchers Say (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the modern-world-work-life-tussle dept.

Commuters are so regularly using travel time for work emails that their journeys should be counted as part of the working day, researchers say. From a report: Wider access to wi-fi on trains and the spread of mobile phones has extended the working day, a study from the University of the West of England says. The study examined 5,000 rail passengers on commuter routes into London as wi-fi became more available. "I am a busy mum and I rely on that time," one commuter told researchers. The study, to be presented at the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday, found that 54% of commuters using the train's wi-fi were sending work emails. Others were using their own mobile phone connections for work emails.

7 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Researchers Say! by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Who cares what researchers say. What counts as work to a company is whatever the company says counts.

    Do researches want to subtract time on slashdot during work?

    1. Re:Researchers Say! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The research results boils down to establishing that "work" is work. Great conclusion indeed.

      Research time would be better spent trying to establish why employees would want to work while commuting knowing they won't be compensated for that.

    2. Re:Researchers Say! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because if they don't, the person sitting next to them that is working will have their job.

    3. Re:Researchers Say! by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

      When I work, you pay me for it. When you consider it work that I read emails, you pay me for it. You don't pay me when I commute, I won't read emails when I commute.

      It is actually that simple.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    4. Re:Researchers Say! by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      When I work, you pay me for it. When you consider it work that I read emails, you pay me for it. You don't pay me when I commute, I won't read emails when I commute.

      It is actually that simple.

      My work and off work life are so mixed I don't even care. I'll gladly answer some emails off hours, I leave early if I need, work from home if I need, run errands during the workday, etc. It allows me to better manage all my time. I realize not everyone is in a similar situation.

    5. Re: Researchers Say! by Evtim · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yep! Welcome to the race.. to the bottom.

  2. Cynical answer... by sjbe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Here's my hypothesis: Wage increases and job security.

    An old axiom about why buy the cow when you get the milf for free comes to mind...

    Guess which one gets the raise. Guess who gets laid off when business is slow.

    My guess would be neither and both respectively.