More than a third of British workers (38 per cent) have used email or text to tell their boss they were sick and unable to work, and one in five of those admit they were pulling a sickie so felt too guilty to call, a survey out today reveals.

The statistic is part of a study into the way workers are communicating in an ever-changing landscape, which now includes video calling, social media, instant messaging, internet-based phone systems, SMS, MMS and of course good old fashioned talking to people.

The survey of 2,000 business professionals in the UK was commissioned for the launch of a new communications system, Orbit, which unites your desk phone, mobile and computer, making it easy for workers to choose the right communications channel for the situation from one central place.

Andrew Jackson, Group CEO of Intercity Telecom , commented on the launch of Orbit: “Choosing the right way to communicate can make all the difference to the working relationships that we build and helps avoid being misunderstood. We all communicate in different ways, which is why having a hub like Orbit makes it easy to keep track of our conversations as they jump from email to instant message, or text to phone call.”

With such a wide choice of communications methods being used in the modern office the study revealed that 69 per cent of UK workers have actually lost track of a conversation as it switches between different channels.

The variety of communications tools available means modern workers are having to choose the appropriate one for different situations, with the study highlighting some key trends:

– 41 per cent are turning to text, email or a phone call to deliver bad news.
– This shoots up to 71 per cent if they think the person would react angrily, showing people’s tendency to use communications tools to avoid confrontation.
– In fact, 50 per cent of people admit they’ve lost the bottle to call someone and have texted and emailed instead.
– Nearly half of all British workers (47 per cent) email someone every day who they’ve never actually spoken to.

The survey highlights the importance of selecting the most appropriate communications channel for the situation. The launch of Orbit, which is available from Intercity Telecom, has made it easy for workers to manage their conversations in the most effective and appropriate way in one central hub.

Orbit allows quick and easy access to desk phone, mobile, instant messaging and email all in one place, whichever channel is most appropriate for each situation. The new IP-based telephony system marks a trend for a more unified approach to communications, allowing businesses to keep in touch with customers and colleagues more effectively. The system also means that office staff are all connected seamlessly into one system whether in the office, at home or out on the road.

Andrew Jackson continued: “Orbit marks a new unified approach to office communications meaning business professionals can interact in a more effective and easily manageable way. As a communications hub, Orbit offers such a revolutionary way of managing all your conversations and contacts centrally, that we believe it will transform the way businesses operate”.

“With the trend continuing for more flexible and distance working, Orbit is also designed to keep everyone in a business integrated at all times, regardless of where they are or whether they’re using their landline number, mobile or email. That means all your conversations are in one place, regardless of how or where they started”.

Orbit uses IP technology to create a flexible unified communications platform for business. To find out more, visit The Orbit Website