Staff are happier with BYOD

Firms that allow staff to bring their own computer devices (BYOD) to use at work are more attractive employers and enjoy better workplace morale, according to a survey of 300 small and medium sized businesses. According to Nasstar, the company that made the survey, almost three quarters of company bosses said that allowing staff to use their own smart phone, laptop or tablet in the workplace would position their firm as a ‘flexible and attractive employer’.

Around two thirds (or 64 percent) of SME chiefs already allow their staff to use their own devices for work purposes. The same number said they had written policies in place for staff wishing to use their own devices at work. Fifty eight percent felt that by letting staff use their own devices at work had led to increased output and better workplace efficiency and happier staff.

Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Management School, comments: “As this research shows most people these days generally like the option of using their own computer devices at work. For employers it’s better to be flexible to their employees’ needs rather imposing ways of working that go against the preferences of their workforces.”

And 60 percent per cent felt that they had saved some money on IT training and hardware by letting staff use their own devices. A clear majority (70 percent) felt that with the rise of tablets and smart phones, it was ‘inevitable’ that in the future all staff would demand the flexibility to use their own devices in tandem with those provided by their employer.

Charles Black, chief executive of Nasstar, added: “There is a growing demand by today’s plugged in workforce to use their own devices at work. While some employers have a blanket ban on this, it’s clear that most in our survey realise that they look more attractive if they allow it, at least in some form. The fears expressed by some employers are also not based on the current cloud technologies, security is one of the main drivers of cloud adoption and should not be a fear.”