Virtual Office Resource

Bring your own device (BYOD), a modern workforce concept in which people use their own personal digital devices to work, using them for a mix of work and personal reasons, has revolutionized the office. What it has done, essentially, has been to remove the border from the office and fuzzed them.

Jeb Brilliant (News - Alert), a blogger for Phone.com, wrote recently that the prevalence of BYOD is making the traditional “sick day” a thing of the past, at least for office employees. Increasingly, a day at home sick means a day of working over the personal wireless devices, likely from home (so we don't infect our co-workers). We've all heard tell of that workaholic mother who was sending text messages and viewing PowerPoint presentations on her device while she was in labor. Brilliant wondered: When did it [working on sick days] become the norm? Do CEOs, bosses, supervisors, etc. expect you to stay on top of e-mail or listen in on a conference call when you’re home sick?

Maybe. But, then again, maybe not.

In a new Phone.com blog post, Brilliant reflects that the concept of BYOD is also killing what used to be called the “non-working vacation,” or the type during which workers vow to let go of the pressures of the office and rest.

While there's always the odd Scrooge-like boss out there, many employers are becoming aware of the problem: burned or burning out employees who are never off the clock.

“The big issue here is now that people are bringing their own devices to work, whether it’s a smart phone, tablet or laptop, they are also taking it on vacation with them and tempted to respond to “just that one email,” writes Brilliant. “This can easily cascade into a two-hour work session and your significant other getting upset. It’s the company’s job to set standards and practices in terms of working during vacation time but it’s the employee who needs to have the willpower and follow through to not check their e-mail.”

When did we turn into a nation of people who need to be forced – ironically, by our employers – to relax and take a break?

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