Co-worker phubbing: A qualitative exploration of smartphone use during work breaks

The present study qualitatively explores co-worker "phubbing" (from "phone" and "snubbing") during communal work breaks. Phubbing, or ignoring others by paying attention to one's phone, has been linked to a range of negative interpersonal and intrapersonal outcomes. Although most research has targeted private relationships, there are indications that lateral work relationships may be similarly affected, with potential consequences at the individual, group, and organizational levels.

Interviews were conducted with 25 Swedish employees in the electrical trade (n = 13) and health care (n = 12), groups that typically work alongside colleagues and regularly take communal breaks. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Five main themes were identified: (1) phubbing as a social barrier, (2) the socially integrated smartphone, (3) intentional and unintentional phubbing, (4) navigating phubbing norms, and (5) generational differences in phubbing behavior and attitudes.

The findings indicate that work break phubbing could potentially undermine interpersonal aspects of the psychosocial work environment. However, this was also seen as contingent on social norms and individual needs and preferences. Discussing phubbing in the workplace may be a way of mitigating negative effects by bridging disparate expectations.