Working mobile? You're working more, a study shows

If you're a mobile worker--meaning, you work from your home or from a remote office without an ever-hovering boss--and you think you've got it made because you get to work when and where you want, I have some unsettling news for you.

With all of that videoconferencing, VoIPing from your mobile phone and softcalling from your computer, you're likely working more--to the tune of 10 to 20 hours more--than your office-bound coworker (who also gets to eat all those birthday cakes and pizzas at the home office).

But, you likely have a more balanced life.

Those are among the findings of a new study from iPass--its Mobile Workforce Report--that carries the painful (to me, anyway) headline: "Mobile employees work around the clock."

Sadly, I have to admit, on most days I fit that headline to a "T."

Here's some data from the report--and remember, you chose to work at home, asked for flextime, and now work whenever and wherever you want. You can't even ask for a raise:

• 38 percent of mobile workers work before their commute
• 25 percent work during their commute
• 37 percent work during lunch
• 37 percent work at night--each and every day.

The report surveyed 3,100 mobile workers and found that three-quarters worked more hours due to workshifting.

How many more? Sure you want to know?

IPass reported 55 percent said they worked at least 10 hours more a week and--here it comes--12 percent said that as a result of their more flexible schedules they were working 20 or more additional hours.

The good news for companies is that workshifting allows employees to be more productive and efficient.

And, here's the surprise: Around 64 percent of mobile workers said they had improved their work/life balance.

More than half felt more relaxed, probably because they got to work in their pajamas.

CTO of iPass Barbara Nelson said that although many of the respondents said they worked more hours, that was starting to gradually change.

"We are starting to see the pendulum swing back to the center on disconnecting, with 68 percent of mobile workers disengaging from technology occasionally to spend time with their families," she said. "It appears that the mobile workforce is getting a better hold on their work-life balance."

Mobile workers apparently are heavily caffeinated--84 percent of them said they worked from a coffee shop--and are likely more tan than their office colleagues, since 77 percent said they work outside using a city-mesh Wi-Fi at least on an occasional basis.

Hey, I'm going to grab a cup of joe and catch some rays while I finish today's edition. --Jim