How is Wi-Fi Increasing Productivity in the Workplace?

There is no doubt that Wi-Fi has revolutionized the workplace over the last ten years – by remaining connected to the internet at all times during the day, employees aren’t tied down by hardware at work and are instead now becoming their own workstation.

The workplace has become more flexible due to this, less dictated by timescales. As a result, employees are more integrated into their work wherever they are, which questions whether or not these changes have impacted productivity.

Alongside KBR, business Wi-Fi providers, we have researched how internet connectivity within the workplace has had an impact on how employees work, as well as how efficiencies can be created by increasing productivity.

How the BYOD culture and Wi-Fi are working together

The BYOD — or bring your own device — culture is a trend that is growing in the workplace, allowing employees to bring their own smart device to use in working hours. It doesn’t matter if this is a mobile phone, tablet, or a laptop; employees can use all of these devices during their every-day working practice when using a Wi-Fi network.

When used correctly, the BYOD culture combined with a mobile internet connection can help to boost work productivity. When connected to the internet, tasks are attended to in ways that weren’t possible before this practice was introduced. Employees are now able to reply to emails when they aren’t at their desk – outside the office for example. This decreases the amount of dead time during the day, as employees can complete many tasks when they aren’t actually stationed at their desk.

A study conducted by Cisco Internet Business Solutions found that ‘the average BYOD user across countries saves 37 minutes per week thanks to using their own device’. Users in the United States saved a total of 81 minutes per week, while those in Germany saved four minutes per week. Although it is clear that some countries are more efficient than others, globally, Wi-Fi networks combined with a BYOD workplace culture leads to an accrued saving of time, which negates the amount of time wasted inside and outside working hours.

Outside of the working day, the BYOD culture is resulting in employees working an extra two hours every day, whilst sending 20 more emails every day as opposed to those who don’t use a smart device connected to Wi-Fi. Outside of designated working hours, this is an impressive addition to what can be done in a day. This is more than likely down to the fact that employees are more comfortable using their own device, as well as more aware of when they can use them during the day.

Even though the workplace can save time and money by implementing a BYOD culture, it does come with an added cost. More than ever before, businesses are having to invest capital in security measures that will stop hackers accessing Wi-Fi servers that will gain them access to sensitive information; anti-malware, encryption methods and passcodes are all used when looking to prevent a potential hack too.

Wi-Fi and its impact around the globe

Employees that are disengaged account for a cost of $3,400 for every $10,000 USD worth of salary in the United States, which means that for every starting salary of £16,376 in the UK, this can cost an employer £5,569 worth of disengagement. As research suggests, what makes employees more engaged is a mobile device and a reliable Wi-Fi connection.

The Economist Intelligence Unit surveyed 1,865 employees, with those who were connected to the internet on a mobile device contributing to a 16% boost in productivity for that business and a 18% boost in the actual creativity of employees when at work.

During a 40-hour working week, this means that one employee contributing a 16% productivity boost accounts 6.4 hours per week, with this translating to 41 working days a year. If more employees than just one become motivated by mobile technologies, then the savings in productivity efficiencies can become abundant.

As well as productivity, it was established that job satisfaction increased by 23% and loyalty to the company increased by 21%. This is probably down to the fact that employees can feel empowered when using their own smart-device. Therefore, workers are made to feel that they are trusted to work on their own tasks independently throughout the day.

When businesses adopt a BYOD and interconnected Wi-Fi policy into their operations and long-term strategy, they are the ones that are successful when productivity levels are looking to be increased. Across the globe, mobile devices are increasing the independence of workers as they are integrated into the workplace; for employers to make the most of their employee, trusting them with their own devices and letting them use a secure Wi-Fi network is arguably the best possible option to choose.

Sources:

http://www.itproportal.com/2015/12/22/why-byod-in-workplace-increases-productivity/

http://www.rcrwireless.com/20160405/network-infrastructure/wi-fi/enterprise-wi-fi-3-ways-wi-fi-changing-workplace-tag4-tag99

http://www.businessbee.com/resources/technology/connectivity/3-reasons-your-company-should-upgrade-to-a-wireless-network/

http://www.networkworld.com/article/3062058/mobile-wireless/a-mobile-first-strategy-improves-employee-productivity-study-finds.html