At work? Put your phone away

Using a smartphone to receive regular notifications to do something could be of enormous benefit, especially to people who spend most of their day sitting.

Using a smartphone to receive regular notifications to do something could be of enormous benefit, especially to people who spend most of their day sitting.

Published Oct 27, 2014

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London - School leavers are damaging their career chances by spending too long fiddling with their smartphones and making social calls at work, a survey of firms has revealed.

Employers are also concerned that young recruits are taking long lunch breaks and are failing to turn up for work on time.

The poll is just the latest in a spate of studies to question the skills and suitability of school leavers to start work.

The latest survey, covering 500 small and medium-sized businesses, showed that many employers believe youngsters have little idea how to behave appropriately at work.

More than four in ten – 43 percent – were worried about young recruits using their mobile phone while at work or taking too long on their breaks.

A similar proportion – 41 percent – believed young people lacked time management and punctuality skills.

It also emerged that 55 percent of employers felt school leavers lacked relationship skills, meaning they were unable to handle clients, customers and suppliers.

The survey by the LifeSkills programme, aimed at boosting youth employability and backed by Barclays bank, concluded that “young people at entry level lack a range of basic skills when they start work”, and demanded a greater focus in schools on preparing children for the world of work. - Daily Mail

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