Managers 'feel mobile phone stress'

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 02-12-2011

Executives would rather mobile phones had never been developed as they cause stress and lengthen working hours, according to a survey.

Nearly half of managers are working longer days than they did 10 years ago and just over half (51%) are more stressed, the Institute of Leadership & Management study found. Gadgets such as mobiles topped the list of inventions which bosses wish had not been invented.

In the survey, two-thirds of managers said they have more work to do than a decade before. One in three feel less content in their role.

Peter Cheese, chairman of the institute, said mobiles increase pressure on managers to respond quickly to issues, no matter the time of day. That adds to a feeling they should work for longer, increasing levels of stress.

Technology should allow staff to work in different ways but many firms are failing to take advantage, as shown by the rise in business travel and commuting times, said Mr Cheese.

He added: "Over the last 10 years, the workplace has become much more challenging for managers."

Copyright Press Association 2011