Plantronics study shows 36% of knowledge workers are travelling less and 40% are spending more time in teleconferences
The high cost of travel is changing how businesses and their employees
work, communicate and collaborate, according to a survey sponsored by
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT). The study revealed that many companies
have significantly reduced business travel due to rising fuel costs over
the past year, while more people work from home at least once a week. At
the same time, many knowledge workers now spend more time on the phone
to maintain effective communication.
The study, conducted by research firm TNS, revealed that over the past
year 42 percent of knowledge workers have seen declines in corporate
travel, while 40 percent of those surveyed spent more time in
teleconferences, and 30 percent have increased the amount of time they
telecommute. When quizzed about ergonomic issues, more respondents (33
percent) complained about neck and shoulder pain than any other health
related condition from using the phone, computer or other office
equipment for extended periods of time.
“A shift is occurring in the way businesses operate in trying economic
times,” said Chuck Yort, vice president and general manager of Business
Solutions at Plantronics. “Many corporations have worked to find cost
effective ways for employees to communicate and connect with colleagues
and customers, a trend that was sparked by high travel costs and has
been accelerated by the uncertain financial climate. As a result, we
anticipate an increased use of collaboration tools to reduce operational
expenses and to help professionals work efficiently.”
Additional findings from the survey of more than 500 knowledge workers
included the following:
Reduced Business Travel
-
More than one-third of individual employees were traveling less on
business over the past year, with 42 percent of that group reporting
their corporate travel had been cut in half
-
Executives (those with the title of vice president or higher) were
much more likely to report a reduction in business travel than other
professionals
Increased Use of Teleconferences and Collaboration Tools
-
Four out of ten knowledge workers reported they spend more time in
teleconferences over the past 12 months
-
Knowledge workers participate in an average of four conference
calls of 30 minutes or longer per week
-
One fourth of respondents participate in more than five conference
calls that last one-half hour or longer each week
-
Nearly one-third of respondents, (32 percent) reported increased
participation and use of Web-based meetings and Web conferences
-
More than one out of five reported an increase in their use of Unified
Communication tools
Increase in Remote Working
-
Knowledge workers work from home an average of 1.4 days a week,
compared with one day per week one year ago
-
Among the 40 percent of respondents reporting an increase in the time
they spend working from home:
-
Half of the respondents who work from home at least one day per
week feel their productivity increases when telecommuting compared
to working at the office
-
Half telecommute to save money on transportation costs, primarily
gas and fuel
Ergonomic Implications
-
The top health condition resulting from extended use of the phone,
computer and other office equipment was neck pain
-
Respondents reporting neck pain were more likely to work in the
IT/MIS/IS department (19 percent vs. 9 percent for non-IT positions)
-
Nearly twice as many respondents complained about neck and shoulder
pain compared with those who reported carpal tunnel syndrome (33
percent compared to 19 percent)
A New Term for Remote Workers
The survey reported that just over half (52%) of all respondents work
from home at least one day a week. In a related initiative, Plantronics
solicited suggestions from people to rename the term “telecommuter.” The
online contest, dubbed TeleWho? generated approximately 500 submissions
from across the country. Independent judges helped select ten finalist
terms based on their originality, relevance and lasting impact. Almost
2,200 votes were submitted over a two week period, resulting in the term
“Cloudworker” as the new term for people who work from home.
For more information about Plantronics’ communication solutions for
businesses and cloudworkers, please visit www.plantronics.com.
Altec Lansing, Clarity and Plantronics are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Plantronics, Inc.
Genevieve Haldeman
Vice President, Global Communications
Work genevieve.haldeman@plantronics.com
Lerin O'Neill
Mobile and Gaming
Work lerin.oneill@plantronics.com
Office 831-458-7595