Mobiles used in the office costing businesses dear

Research says persuading workers not to make one five minute call a day could save £2.5bn

Almost half of UK office workers use their mobile phones when they are sat at their desks, according to research published today.

IP communications firm Mitel says 48 per cent of workers are using mobiles in the office, which is a significant cost to businesses.

Two thirds (66 per cent) of those that use mobiles in the office say the average length of their call is less than five minutes, 29 per cent say they last for five to 10 minutes and six per cent say they stay on the phone for up to 20 minutes.

Mitel says persuading staff to avoid one five minute call a day could reduce costs for UK businesses by £2.5bn a year.

'With more and more businesses handing out mobiles to their employees, the research identifies a major lack of control over their usage,' said Graham Bevington, UK managing director at Mitel.

'More often than not people are contacting colleagues whose numbers are easily to hand on their mobile when they could dial an office extension number for free.

'Organisations should think about supplying employees with a single number that follows them regardless of location or device,' he said.

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