A Modern Contested Terrain: Mobile Phones at Work

Abstract

We can see technology change the private lives of people and also in their working lives. But what happens when these two worlds collide? This paper explores the way labour and management are grappling with the issue of mobile phone technology in the workplace. This has never been a problem in the past; however, with up to 75 per cent of people owning mobile phones it is presently a problem across Australia. This paper explores how a number of Australian organisations have dealt with the issue of their employee's mobile phones entering the workplace. This is an area of contested terrain is becoming increasingly present on the landscape of the employment relationship. At present, it appears that organised labour and non-organised labour are being sidelined for legitimated managerial prerogative.