Snow, Cell Phones and Work/Life Balance



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 Fifteen degrees below zero didn't bother me much this morning until I attempted to start my car. Over and over, I cranked the key, desperately willing my wonderful 1995 Dodge Intrepid to turn over. Guess it wasn't brave enough to battle the bitterly cold weather. My solution: pull out my cell phone to call my dad. No answer. Luckily my mom answered her cell phone and drove to my aid.

There is constant conversation regarding the pros and cons of cell phones especially when it comes to work/life balance. Both of my parents were at work. More than likely, my dad was in a meeting with his cell phone off, inhibiting his ability to balance the needs of his daughter with the demands of his job. Contrastingly, my mom had access to her phone at her job and had the ability to simply leave to take care of something personal.

According to a 2007 study by the Australian National University (ANU), 58% of men responded that it would be 'difficult' or 'impossible' to do their job without a cell phone while only 35% of women felt this way. The study also discussed the use of cell phones over the holidays, finding that 59% of managers were likely to use their cell phones during the holidays.

The study concluded that:

Wireless mobile devices increase the scope for work and family flexibility by enabling the micro-coordination of time, tasks, and schedules. This is particularly significant as people are now working at times and places outside of the traditional workday and place. It is widely believed that technologies like the mobile phone and e-mail are blurring boundaries between personal life and the workplace.

A 2008 article from The Washington Post provides research completed by the Pew Internet and American Life Project that suggests families are not worse off because of technology. Twenty-five percent of respondents said that they are actually closer families because they are able to keep in contact throughout the day. So, as in the ANU study, cell phones can have a positive effect on how people manage their work and personal life.

Work/life balance doesn't escape the ears of the cell phone companies who try to market their products to on-the-go people who need to stay in touch with their colleagues and their families. T-Mobile released a phone in 2010 that they claim promotes work/life balance because of its switchable home screen feature that allows users to go back and forth between business and personal screens.

Now it's 2011 and the number of people using their cell phone to stay connected to their job has increased, but companies like T-Mobile have made it easier to stay in balance. However, we need to remember that a cell phone can always be turned off and email can go unchecked for an evening. The important thing is to stay balanced.