Bring your own device (BYOD) may not exactly be new, but many companies are still trying to figure out if it’s the right move for them. While roughly half of all organizations have instituted some kind of BYOD policy, that still leaves the same number looking at their options and wondering if allowing employees to use their own devices for work is really worth it. There are many reasons BYOD may be adopted, but the two biggest benefits cited by BYOD supporters are the increases in employee productivity and overall job satisfaction. But do employees who use their own devices actually get more work done, and does it also make them happier while on the job? A careful examination of the claims is necessary, especially for those businesses still on the fence about making BYOD a part of their operations.
Does BYOD Lead to More Productive Employees?
When the goal is to get as much work done as possible in a specified timeframe, business owners will gladly consider any new policy making that claim. Bring your own device may be just the thing to meet these demands. By allowing workers to use devices that they’ll also have with them after work hours, they’re more likely to do some work outside of the office. While studies have varied, one report from Intel showed that BYOD employees worked on average about one hour more every day. Other studies were more modest in their results, but most showed the same effect: that workers tend to do more outside of work when using personal mobile devices.
Besides the reports from companies, other ways to measure productivity increases have reinforced BYOD supporters’ claims. A recent survey showed that 42% of employees who used their personal devices said they were more productive and efficient. Part of the reason for getting more work done is the increased mobility that employees have. With so many companies and organizations using cloud computing for some of their most basic functions like email or customer relationship management, workers are able to access this data at any time from anywhere provided they have an internet connection. BYOD helps employers move past the question of what is cloud comptuing to how can BYOD and the cloud help grow my business. This also gives them the ability to receive updates on important information the moment they need it. Being out on the road with BYOD also lets employees keep in touch with daily business dealings, avoiding the need to play catch up when returning to the office. So with additional hours spent on the job and easier access to critical applications, BYOD can help workers do more.
Are Employees With BYOD Happier Than Those Without It?
Gauging job satisfaction is not always easy, but from the research that’s been done on BYOD, it’s clear that employees are happier using their own devices. A study from 2012 shows that 61% of workers who were given the freedom to use their personal devices were happier doing their jobs. Perhaps the biggest reason this is the case is because BYOD employees are allowed to use devices they’re already familiar and comfortable with. Workers already know how to operate their device of choice, and when applied to their jobs, they can get the most out of their favorite smartphone or tablet. With BYOD, gone are the days when employees would battle with a device issued by the company, trying in vain to manage its complex array of functions and features. By adopting BYOD, companies also show that they trust their employees to perform their jobs well outside of close supervision while also safeguarding important company data. Employees appreciate having that level of trust put in them and end up feeling happier with their supervisors and their jobs in general. And of course, having a familiarity with their devices and having greater job satisfaction can positively impact productivity at the same time.
Conclusion
It appears that BYOD does indeed get the intended results of more productivity and happier workers. However, that doesn’t mean simply adopting BYOD automatically means those results will happen. BYOD policies don’t just need to be implemented; they need to be implemented well. A policy that’s too restrictive can leave employees feeling overburdened and unhappy. On the other hand, too much freedom may put valuable data at risk. Businesses need to learn to institute a happy medium to maximize BYOD’s benefits while avoiding the pitfalls. Once this is done, happier and more productive employees will be a common sight.