- Four in 10 (41%) HR directors believe it’s only acceptable to read messages during a meeting if they are urgent
- A quarter (25%) said it’s never acceptable and mobile devices should not be brought to meetings
In today’s working environment, multi-tasking is an ever present discipline with the majority (78%) of UK HR directors finding it common for employees to read and respond to emails during meetings. This figure increases to 88% for medium sized companies, according to new research from OfficeTeam1, a Robert Half company, and leading recruitment agency specialising in administrative staffing.
However, 41% of HR leaders believe it’s only acceptable to read messages during a meeting if they are urgent and a quarter (25%) even go as far as to say that it’s never acceptable to respond to emails during a meeting and that mobile devices should be turned off or not brought to a meeting at all. Almost one quarter (23%) said that it’s OK to check messages as long as the employee excuses themselves and steps outside to respond.
When asked what most closely describes their reaction when colleagues read and responded to emails during a meeting, only one in ten (12%) said they thought it was perfectly acceptable, especially if they check them at a time when what is being said isn’t applicable to them. A further four in 10 (41%) of those surveyed said it’s OK to read messages during a meeting but only if the message was urgent.
HR directors were asked: “Which of the following most closely describes your reaction when professionals read and respond to email during business meetings?
| Total | Company Size | |||
| Small | Medium | Large | ||
| It’s perfectly acceptable to read and respond to messages during the meeting, especially at a time when what is being said doesn’t pertain to them | 12% | 12% | 15% | 10% |
| It’s OK to read and respond to messages during the meeting but only if the message is urgent | 41% | 39% | 40% | 45% |
| It’s OK to check messages as long as attendees excuse themselves and step outside the meeting to respond | 23% | 20% | 27% | 22% |
| It’s never OK. Email devices should be turned off or not brought to the meeting at all | 25% | 29% | 19% | 22% |
Rachel Stockell, Senior Manager at OfficeTeam, commented:
“It’s clear that there is a fine balance between productivity and distraction when checking emails during meetings. The increasing accessibility via mobile devices has widened the parameters of the working day, but employees must be aware of the broader impact it has, including how their actions are perceived by their managers and colleagues. As company cultures differ, it’s important that guidance is offered to employees on acceptable meeting behaviour, and that the use of mobile devices usage could be deemed inappropriate.
“The majority of HR directors surveyed said they had witnessed colleagues checking messages on their phones during meetings, but only a small number felt it was perfectly acceptable. Employees should err on the side of caution and decide whether responding to that email at that moment is more valuable or important than the meeting itself.”
Paul Gray is an entrepreneur and digital publisher who creates online publications focused on solving problems, delivering news, and providing platforms for informed comment and debate. He is associated with HRZone and has built businesses in the HR and professional publishing sector. His work emphasizes creating industry-specific content platforms.
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