Electronic Health Reporter

A new study reveals that more than half of hourly employees say their current role prevents them from maximizing their full potential at work. The new research from WorkJam found that 61 percent of employees cite scheduling and communication pain points as reasons for leaving. The study also finds that today’s hourly workforce has little push back when it comes to the idea of implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy at work.

Titled “Embracing a Bring Your Own Device Policy in the Workplace,” the study polled more than 1,000 U.S.-based hourly employees and employers across the retail, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, and banking industries to determine sentiment around BYOD policies. Among other findings, the study revealed that, across industries, there is little little push back from employees about using their personal devices for work purposes. In fact, 57 percent of millennials would prefer to use their personal mobile devices to access information such as schedules and training materials. WorkJam also found that more than two-thirds (69 percent) of employees believe that with the right application, they’d have an easier time picking up shifts that accommodate their schedules.

“Our smartphones are an extension of who we are, and being able to integrate aspects of our work lives into our personal devices creates ease and comfort for employees,” said Steven Kramer, co-founder, president, and CEO of WorkJam. “Today, every U.S. workplace relies on smartphones, and the service industry is no exception. If used in conjunction with a BYOD policy, employers can foster a more productive, engaged, and loyal workforce.”

According to Kramer, these findings should call attention to the impact implementing a BYOD workplace policy can have when it comes to building a more engaged and productive workforce.

“It’s never been more imperative that employers put the power of communication and scheduling into employees’ hands,” Kramer said. “Having access to a central repository of training information that can be updated instantaneously will enable employers to retrieve information on their own time, from anywhere. Additionally, there is no longer confusion when policies change. Entire departments are alerted immediately when there’s a change in operations.”

This is where a digital workplace platform can help employers boost employee productivity, increase transparency throughout the company, and improve the employee experience by harnessing the power of employees’ personal devices.

“It’s no longer a question of whether organizations should adopt a digital workplace policy,” Kramer said. “It’s about when they should make the change.”