The digital detox – your employees need one.
Did you know that the average person now spends 25 hours a week online! Here are some other known facts about our addiction to digital:
- The average person checks their phone 200 times a day (once every six and a half minutes)
- One in four people spend more time online than they do asleep
- 73% of Brits say they’d struggle to go a day without checking their phone or computer
- 70% of 16-24-year-olds say they prefer texting to talking
In addition to this, a study by an American Psychologist titled ‘Internet Paradox: A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological wellbeing’, found that whilst online you are more likely to demonstrate greater instance of depression and social anxiety.
These facts might not come as a surprise to most people, but facts like these have led to 15 million Brits to take a digital detox. There have been movements worldwide, including Digital Detoxing in the UK and Digital Detox® in the USA. These organisations both set out to help people switch off from their devices and reconnect with the world and with press coverage it is starting to work.
Many millennials, who are said to be most guilty of this, have started ‘phone stacking’ at meals and leaving their phones in the middle of the table. One Sussex landlord has built a ‘faraday cage’ around his bar to block mobile phone signals and encourage face-to-face conversation. Most of those taking a digital detox have done so for just the day or during a week away. However, there are many lasting even longer than the week.
You might think that this digital addiction just affects your employees in their personal lives, but it doesn’t. Inside many businesses, the internet and the love for our devices are causing a fall in productivity without us realising. The average attention span is said to be just 8 seconds, with the mind wondering 47% of the working day.
Now, you could argue that employees are going to procrastinate regardless. A think Money survey found that 759 hours a year are spent distracted at work, with a 10th of people admitting that they spend only half an hour on productive work a day. 23% of these respondents said that looking at their mobile phone interrupts their work flow. Online shopping, social media and emailing were also high scoring causes of distraction, which is a cause for concern.
If you find yourself disturbed about these findings, then some form of digital detox might be a good idea for your business. Here are a few steps you could think about taking without reverting back to the old pen and paper:
1. First of all, put an end to ‘phubbing’ in meetings
Phubbing is the act of snubbing someone by looking at your phone instead of paying attention. I think we can agree that it is bad business etiquette and rather annoying, especially if there are clients or prospects in the room. In fact, prohibiting phones on desks in general would be a good idea – if it isn’t out then you are less likely to mess with it.
2. Bring in the web police
To help prevent time-wasting on the internet, employees can download apps through Google Chrome that will block and manage distracting sites. Take a look downloading StayFocusd and Shutapp online to help you boost productivity.
3. Encourage phone calls and face-to-face meetings
Emails are a known distraction. Encourage your staff to pick up the phone for a chat or meet with clients more often. This will be particularly beneficial for the 70% of 16-24 year olds that prefer to text rather than talk by helping them to build their communication skills and rapport with clients.
4. Take regular breaks
Research has determined that sitting at a desk all day is as bad as smoking. If you sit for at least 8 hours a day you can increase the risk of premature death by up to 60%. We aren’t trying to scare you, we are just saying it is important that you stretch your legs and take regular breaks from the screen and other devices. A quick refresh can also improve productivity.
5. No eating at desks!
A lot of us are guilty of sitting and eating at our desks, whilst browsing the net during lunchtime. Having a room or space available would encourage your employees to eat their lunch away from their desks, taking a real break from their devices. Providing benches outside the office might be nice in the summer too!
6. Keep employees engaged in their work
Did you know that only 13% of employees are said to be engaged in their work? Did you also know that a happy employee is 12% more productive? If employees are happier with what they are doing and you can keep them engaged in their work, then they might be less likely to be distracted by the internet or their personal devices. Ask your employees what would make them happier in their job or what they would like to do more of. Setting them exciting new projects is also a great way to keep them motivated.
7. Take a digital detox trip
If you reward your staff with days out or short breaks, then this year you could consider taking a digital detox trip. Digital Detoxing UK organise detoxing adventures for businesses called Return On Adventure (ROA) or you could organise your own trip to the beautiful British countryside. Visiting an area where your employees are cut off from technology might make them understand that they do not need to be attached to their devices 24/7.
You don’t want to be too strict with your employees, as digital has revolutionised the way that we work and nurtures creativity in many individuals. However, you need to find the right balance in your workplace that boosts productivity rather than luring people into procrastination.