The spread of smartphones has tied more workers to their jobs during off hours
WALKER, MICH., (WZZM) -- It seems like we've become attached to our mobile devices and it's taking its toll on our personal lives. For some people, the 8-hour work day no longer exists.
"It does take away from personal time," says Kimberly Gleason, an executive leadership coach. She helps people deal with life and work. Gleason says smartphones have become useful and detrimental. "I'll go to my kids games and one-third of parents are on their cell phones."
We're constantly on and available 24-hours a day. "This is really a habit that we've created. We just have to unlearn that habit," says Gleason.
Many of us are guilty of answering an early morning call or weekend e-mail when we're supposed to be "off the clock." If it's an emergency, that's one thing, but if it's not, here's something else to think about: If you're an employer, you could be charged for the time.
"You might need to think about a policy that would say you shouldn't do that, or you may be looking at some pay that you hadn't anticipated," says employment and labor attorney, Robert Stone.
According to the latest numbers from the Pew Research Center, 66% of full-time employees have smartphones and 33% have tablets.
So, if you want to get back some personal time, Gleason says you have to learn to turn it off. "And see what happens. I think that if somebody were to do that, they'd be amazed at how freeing it is."
USA TODAY