Hungarian workers big users of the Internet and most say it makes them more productive
17. April 2007
40% of workers say time wasting emails a major problem
A new international workplace survey has found that 75% of workers in Hungary regularly use email, the Internet, or both while at work, and most believe it improves the quality of their output.
The survey by global recruitment agency, Kelly Services, found that the use of online communications has extended across most of the workforce with 68% using both email and the Internet, 5% using email only, and 2% using the Internet only. Just 14% used neither.
The use of online communications in Hungary was modest by international standards, ranking 19th out of the 28 countries in the survey. The highest users were Hong Kong, Mexico, India, Thailand and Indonesia. France, Puerto Rico, and Switzerland had the lowest usage.
There was overwhelming acceptance that the technology has a positive impact on the quality of work. Some 64% said that the use of email increases productivity, while 68% said that Internet access increases productivity.
Women were slightly more enthusiastic users of online tools than men, while those with university qualifications were significantly heavier users. Those aged 25-34 were the most intensive users of online services in the workplace.
“It is clear that the use of online communications is now extremely widespread in the workplace and is seen to be driving improvements in productivity,” said Anikó Jónás, Managing Director.
The Kelly Services Global Workforce Index sought the views of approximately 70,000 people in 28 countries including almost 900 in Hungary.
Industries with particularly high usage of online communications included Business Services, IT, Financial Services and Education.
The survey also sought to identify the incidence of emails identified as spam, as well as those that were simply time wasting and unnecessary. (A ‘high volume’ of these emails was defined as 20% or more of the total email traffic.)
In Hungary, the problem of spam emails was relatively low on the international ladder with 33% expressing the view that they received excessive unsolicited mail.
Of more concern was the sheer volume of pointless email with 40% of workers complaining of the high volume of emails that were either time wasting or unnecessary.
Anikó Jónás said the survey highlights the pervasive use of online tools in the workplace.
“There is little doubt that online technologies have transformed the way business operates.
“Most people accept this has led to improvements in productivity but there is still an issue with email that is unnecessarily directed to people and with no clear purpose.
“One positive sign is that the incidence of unsolicited or spam email is at the lower end of the international scale.
“This suggests that some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are doing a better job at curtailing the international traffic in spam. Filters employed by many organizations are also effective in blocking spam.
“Like any emerging technology, it is important that managers take time to provide the training and support to enable staff to effectively integrate online tools into their daily work routine, and gain the maximum benefit,” Jónás said.
“In an increasingly knowledge-based economy, it is critical that information is widely accessible and able to be utilized effectively in the workplace.
“It is also vital that organizations develop policies to guide employees on the correct use of online communications.
“These should cover issues such as privacy, personal use, monitoring, downloading of content, access by third parties, and illegal use of the Internet.”
Kelly Services, Inc.(Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Troy, Michigan (USA), offering staffing solutions that include temporary staffing services, outsourcing, vendor on-site and full-time placement. Kelly operates in 30 countries and territories. Kelly provides employment to more than 700,000 employees annually, with skills including office services, accounting, engineering, information technology, law, science, marketing, light industrial, education and health care. Revenue in 2006 was US$5.6 billion. Visit http://www.kellyservices.com
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Media contact:
Anikó Jónás
Managing Director
Email: ajonas@kellyservices.hu
Tel: 061-354-2772