Press Release Details

Latest Findings From Kelly Global Workforce Index(TM)

TROY, MI -- (Marketwire) -- 11/27/12 -- Mobile technologies are transforming the workplace and are helping to lift productivity and efficiency, but these technologies are also contributing to increased fatigue and burnout among workers who are putting a lot of the pressure on themselves.

The findings are part of the latest survey results from the Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI), an annual survey conducted by Kelly Services (NASDAQ: KELYA) (NASDAQ: KELYB). The survey examines the rise of the highly virtual workforce, characterized by widespread access to mobile technologies, and the impact on workplace productivity, work-life balance and job security. Almost 170,000 people across all generations in 30 countries, including the Americas, APAC and EMEA regions, participated in the current survey.

More than a quarter of employees (27 percent), globally, say that they feel pressured to stay connected with work outside of normal work hours, through email, smartphones and other online platforms.

More than half (53 percent) say that staying "connected" has increased their productivity, while work-life balance has also largely improved, but concerns about job security and burnout are being felt by a significant number of respondents.

Nearly a quarter of workers (23 percent) report spending no time "connected" to the workplace during their off hours. Almost half (49 percent) report spending up to five hours each week, another 27 percent spend more than six hours per week, with many revealing they spend more than 10 hours per week connected to work during their off hours.

The blurring of the line between work and leisure is occurring across all generations but is most pronounced for Gen Y and Gen X employees and those with a professional and technical background. These workers feel the greatest pressure to maintain contact with their work, even during their downtime.

Asked to identify the main pressures for staying connected with work, the largest share (36 percent) said they were placing the pressure on themselves. Other sources of pressure were coming from employers, identified by 26 percent, "industry culture" (15 percent), customers and clients (14 percent), and other employees (5 percent).

The results also show:

• Workers in APAC feel the most pressure to stay "connected" to their work outside of normal work hours, with 35 percent feeling compelled to stay in touch, compared with 28 percent in EMEA and 21 percent in the Americas.
• The most significant increase in workplace productivity occurred in APAC, with 62 percent experiencing gains, compared with 50 percent in both EMEA and the Americas.
• Almost one-third (32 percent) say that the use of mobile technologies has contributed to fatigue or burnout.
• Only 29 percent say that the online technologies have improved their job security.
• 60 percent would consider telecommuting -- working mainly from home or away from the office -- if that were offered.

Complete findings are published in a new report, Highly Virtual Workforce. For more information about the Kelly Global Workforce Index and key regional and generational findings, please visit the Kelly® Press Room or www.kellyservices.com.

About the Kelly Global Workforce Index

The Kelly Global Workforce Index is an annual survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Approximately 170,000 people from the Americas, APAC and EMEA participated in the survey. Results have been published throughout 2012 on a variety of topics such as employee retention, social media and the highly virtual workplace. Visit www.kellyservices.com to review findings on the current topic.

About Kelly Services

Kelly Services, Inc. is a leader in providing workforce solutions. Kelly® offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct-hire basis. Serving clients around the globe, Kelly provides employment to more than 550,000 employees annually. Revenue in 2011 was $5.6 billion. Visit www.kellyservices.com and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, & Twitter. Download The Talent Project, a free iPad app by Kelly Services.

Media Contacts:



Asia PacificJaquilin DankerKelly Services

+65 6494 6066

Jaquilin_danker@kellyservices.com.sg



Europe

Tamara Achba

Kelly Services

+41 32 737 1829

Tamara.achba@kellyservices.eu



AmericasJane StehneyKelly Services

+1 248 244-5630

jane_stehney@kellyservices.com

Source: Kelly Services, Inc.

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