Search Firm Sees Growing Candidate Revolt against 24/7 Access Demands By Employers
Common Courtesy Lines No Longer Exist
Mobile Phone Access on Airplanes Could be the Final Straw
Philadelphia, PA, February 2005—Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI), the world's largest search and recruitment organization, has observed a growing level of discomfort on the part of candidates and employees with positions that demand any-time, any-place accessibility and control by employers through technologies such as handheld email devices, spyware or Wi-Fi. New initiatives aimed at bringing mobile phone access to commercial flights could exacerbate the problem, MRI believes.
"When the job market was tough and employers were reducing staff, much of the extra work was directed to existing employees - even during their off hours - through these devices," says CEO Allen Salikof. "But now candidates have more opportunities and are beginning to voice their discontent by avoiding positions that require 24/7 access."
Clearly employees have the option to turn these devices off, but many feel the added pressure of "missing something" or, even worse, being viewed by management as not a team player. This sentiment is especially true for employees with demanding family responsibilities who already feel vulnerable because they cannot always dedicate the same amount of time during off hours as their peers.
"What we find ironic about this growing trend is that many employees fought hard for these technology 'perks' when they were first introduced," added Salikof. "For many, the velvet gloves they sought have become corporate handcuffs."
To combat the "constantly on" business trend, Salikof predicts an increase in "do-not-call" parameters in the next two years, as well as an increase in technologies such as hand-held cell phone jammers, which are aimed at keeping work from interfering with the personal lives of others.
About Management Recruiters International
Management Recruiters International, Inc. (www.MRInetwork.com), trading as MRINetwork, is one of the world's largest search and recruitment organizations with more than 1,100 offices in over 35 countries and systemwide billings of nearly $500 million. Management Recruiters International, Inc. is a subsidiary of staffing and outsourcing leader CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI), a global provider of engineering and information technology outsource solutions and professional staffing (www.cdicorp.com).
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