does you BB increase your working hours?

[writing-my-dissertation-on-BBs]

ok so a recent study shows people who have BlackBerrys work an extra 15 hours a week!
so do you feel like you work more hours due to the always on nature of the device?
and more importantly do you care?

[jlsparks]

1) Yes, I definitely work more hours. Better stated, I'm available to clients more hours. It's possible that I work the same hours as a result of hours wasted playing BrickBreaker

2) No, I don't care. My clients contract with me with the expectation that I'll be available when I need them. I've used other smartphones, including 2 iterations of the iPhone, and nothing allows me to do that the way BlackBerry does.

Great questions... this will be a fun thread to track.

[sedalia066]

I work more hours by being available outside the office. Holidays and weekends allow contact through e-mail that would not otherwise be available.

I love the option. I work on my own time. Clients appreciate the service. Better than phone time for me.

[SpencerManning]

I enjoy the email option on my phone that allows me to stay in touch with my clients. Approximately 10 - 20% of my clients schedule appointments via email or text. It has increased my productivity.

[deRusett]

I would say the BB reduces my time required to work, I am able to answer e-mails as they come in rather then booting up my laptop to answer the e-mails at the end of the day,

Sure I tend to check my e-mails more often during off work hours then I did before my Blackberry, but I also have more e-mails as my customers also are getting blackberry's

I think those that are not locked into a hourly job, the Blackberry should not add to your working hours, as you can do the same work spread over longer time, I can take a longer lunch because during lunch I can answer e-mails, if I have to take off early, doesn't matter because I have my phone and e-mail in my hand. the Blackberry allows that freedom, the employer needs to learn to Embrace that freedom for the employee before said employee takes action and makes the blackberry a 9-5 tool, and shuts it off after work.

[msanford]

For someone who freelances, an extra 15 hours a week is a godsend, because—for argument's sake—those may be your only hours that week.

EDIT I'm sorry, to actually answer your question: yes it does. While writing my thesis, I work as a freelance translator (formally trained from my undergraduate). It's useful for me to be able not only to respond to requests from my clients by email or BBM, but also to be able to work on short passages while I'm at lunch or out on an errand.

I also have a clearly-defined contact policy which I inform my clients of: they can expect a reply during business hours, but I might reply any time my Berry is turned on.

[Bl_ai_r]

It is all about life balance. I don't care if I am working as along as I am doing what I enjoy and have the time to spend with family. So what if I need to fire off an e-mail from the backcountry. I am in the client services business, so for me Blackberry helps me balance everything.

[crackie]

it does increase my work being on call, but thats ok as i get payed overtime for it.

[bug08]

It does increase my working hours, but I work in sales, and time is money! If i can make a sale at 8 or 9 at night, thats fine with me because it makes me money!!!

[Pierrohhh]

i would say a bit of both. On average I will work more since I am available more often. (even reply to clients while at the resto with my gf, she will probably eventually leave me for this LOL)

but it also helps me go away for a weekend, not bring my laptop (to pretend I am really taking a weekend off) and still sneak in some work when no one is looking. LOLLL

all in all. I love my berry !

[amazinglygraceless]

No. My office hours are set (salaried) and when I leave I am done.
Everyone knows to not waste the effort sending me email or calling me after
I have left because both will generally be ignored until morning.

[synthmole]

I'm definitely more efficient and focused. I actually work just about right because I'm no longer overwhelmed.

Seems like small stuff but the speed and responsiveness let me file and track everything; I also use ToDoMatrix. I'm also more expressive in my messages because the keyboard just rocks.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[justinygg]

I run a construction company, so I am on the road a lot and it helps me keep in touch. Plus I don't mind answering the late night email as it helps things run smoother so that takes a lot of stress away and gives me freedom during the day to work from anywhere!

[GlenB]

I tend to answer the occasional email at night, it is more a convenience than anything else. Perhaps 5-30 minutes per day dealing with urgent issues. Reading through other peoples response, I would guess it varies dramatically depending on the nature of your work and also what things might be going on at any particular time.

[Tony Bag O Donuts]

Originally Posted by writing-my-dissertation-on-BBs

ok so a recent study shows people who have BlackBerrys work an extra 15 hours a week!
so do you feel like you work more hours due to the always on nature of the device?
and more importantly do you care?

I think I can answer emails which is what the device is intended to do but it also creates social problems, i.e. time away from family, etc.
I think if we just had berries for email, etc. we wouldn't be on forums, getting 3rd party apps, etc.