Cell phone communications, emails, and texts have been around
for decades. According to JB Knowledge's 2020 Construction
Technology Report, 93 percent of construction industry workers use
smartphones for work purposes. Notwithstanding the incredible
benefits of immediate contact and transfer of information to
personal and business communication, these capabilities inevitably
affect many construction workers personally in how well they can
separate work life from personal life and, thus, their overall
quality of life.
The specific effect depends on many factors, including the
nature of the construction work, the nature and frequency of the
communications, the degree of interruption in their personal life,
and the consequences, actual or perceived, in avoiding contact
during off-work hours. Additionally, there are some occupations,
such as construction supervisors, forepersons, and safety managers,
where such after-hour work might be expected, and desired, by
