Researchers from the Universities of Bath, Aston, and IESE Business School warn that focusing on your mobile phone instead of your partner not only strains your relationship but also negatively impacts women’s creativity in the workplace. The study highlights the harmful effects of ‘phubbing’, which refers to ignoring someone in favor of your phone. This behavior is known to have a detrimental impact on relationships and work performance.The impact of phone usage on relationships and mental wellbeing is well-documented. A recent study of working couples in the US has revealed that this issue can also have repercussions in the workplace, particularly for the female partner.
Professor Yasin Rofcanin, from the University of Bath’s Future of Work research centre, highlighted the negative effects of excessive phone usage on couples. He stated that it erodes the connection between partners and hinders their ability to communicate and address stresses and concerns. This, in turn, can have a detrimental impact on their mental wellbeing.
Rofcanin also emphasized the importance of supportive interactions at home, pointing out that they have a positive crossover effect on partners, enhancing their creativity in the workplace. However, these benefits are lost when individuals become absorbed in phone scrolling and miss out on these supportive interactions.The article discusses the impact of phone use on the connections between couples in the US. A study analyzed diary entries from 65 full-time, dual-income heterosexual couples with children over 15 working days. The findings suggest that phone use disrupts social interactions and the support that couples provide each other in managing work and family responsibilities.
Previous research has shown that supportive interactions with co-workers can extend to the home environment, benefiting loving relationships and promoting creativity in the workplace. However, this effect seems to only work for women, as they appear to be more skilled in managing these interactions.The study looks at how women’s use of support systems and family-friendly work policies can lead to greater creativity in the workplace. The researchers found that women who are actively supported in both their home and work lives tend to be more resourceful at work, seeking out new challenges, building stronger relationships with colleagues, and maintaining a positive perspective on their role, all of which contribute to increased creativity. This suggests that the expectations placed on women to balance home and work life may actually drive them to seek out support networks and family-friendly work policies, ultimately leading to greater creativity at work.Professor Rofcanin stated that the study’s findings are particularly relevant in the post-pandemic era, as hybrid working arrangements have become increasingly common. He emphasized the importance of considering the impact of home dynamics on employee productivity and well-being as organizations navigate this new landscape.
The researchers anticipate that their findings will influence employer policies regarding the use of technology for out-of-hours work and emphasize the significance of implementing supportive policies that promote work-family balance, such as flexible working schedules.
Dr. Siqi Wang from Aston Business School added that creating a supportive work-family environment is crucial for employee well-being and productivity.Close collaboration between HR managers and employees’ first-line supervisors is crucial. Businesses can see the benefits of training programs for supervisors that focus on work-family balance, effective communication, and reducing excessive use of technology for work-related purposes.
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