Mobile technologies are transforming the workplace and are helping to lift productivity and efficiency, but they are also contributing to increased fatigue and burnout among workers.

More than a quarter of employees (27%) say that they feel pressured to stay connected with work outside of normal work hours, according to the latest Kelly Global Workforce Index survey results, which examines the attitudes of almost 170,000 people across all generations in 30 countries.

The survey examines the status of the virtual workforce, and their impact on workplace productivity, work-life balance and job security. Our results show that the blurring of the line between work and leisure is occurring across all generations, but is most pronounced for Gen Y and Gen X employees, and for those with a professional or technical background. These workers feel the greatest pressure to maintain contact with their work, even during their downtime.

While almost one-quarter reports spending no time 'connected' to the workplace after-hours, many (49%) say they spend up to five hours each week, and more than one-quarter spend more than six hours per week being connected in this way after hours.

When asked to identify the main pressures for staying connected with work, the largest share (36%) say they were placing the pressure on themselves, while 26% the pressure comes from their employer (26%). Others say the source of the pressure is “industry culture” (15%), customers and clients (1%), and least of all other employees (5%).

The results also show:

- Workers in APAC feel the most pressure to stay 'connected' to their work outside of normal working hours: 35% feel this compared with 28% in EMEA and 21% in the Americas.
- More than half (53%) says that mobile technology has increased their workplace productivity, with APAC (62%) experiencing bigger gains than workers in EMEA and the Americas (both 50%).
- Almost one-third (32%) say that the use of mobile technologies has contributed to fatigue or burnout, yet a similar proportion (29%) say that the online technologies have improved their job security.
- Most (60%) would consider telecommuting if it were offered.

To read the full results, you can download the, Highly Virtual Workforce report now here.