Users becoming enslaved by their mobile devices

A global study has shown that mobile workers struggle to separate themselves from the devices that they use.

Of those questioned, 94 per cent of mobile workers have a smartphone and 41 per cent have a tablet device.

An additional 34 per cent of mobile workers intend to purchase a tablet in the next six months, according to a study by enterprise mobility services provider iPass.

Reliance on mobile technology has resulted in the average mobile worker working 240 hours a year longer than other employees, according to the study. However, this comes at a cost; mobile technology is overtaking some employees' lives.

Some 43 per cent of mobile workers sleep with their smartphone within arm's reach and 29 per cent said that their mobile usage causes friction in their personal relationships – usually with a spouse or partner.

In addition, 38 per cent of mobile workers said they wake up to check their smartphone during the night and 35 per cent check email first thing in the morning – even before getting dressed or eating breakfast.

iPass carried out a survey of more than 3,700 mobile employees at 1,100 enterprises worldwide