How Overcomplicated Systems Are Hurting Employee Productivity

Workplace technology is meant to boost productivity, but for many UK employees, it’s becoming a major roadblock. A new study reveals that technology overload is leaving workers feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and even ready to quit.

According to Workplace 365, a digital workplace provider, 59% of employees believe that simplifying digital workplaces should be a top IT investment priority. Research shows that 65% of employees in large organizations feel overwhelmed by complex workplace technology. Additionally, 41% want their employers to replace outdated IT systems with more efficient, user-friendly solutions.

Nearly 59% of employees would consider quitting if workplace IT systems are too complex. Many are calling for simpler, more integrated solutions to ease the burden of managing multiple applications. Additionally, research shows that 40% of employees don’t even use the software and apps provided by their companies.

“There is a strong appetite for change in workplace technology. This isn’t just a productivity issue – it’s a critical challenge for talent retention,” explained Erik Nicolai, CEO and co-founder of Workspace 365. “By simplifying the digital workplace and focusing on user-friendly solutions, businesses can unlock the full potential of their workforce and bring the focus back to high value tasks.”

The digital skills gap and training needs

The UK Government has reported that the digital skills gap costs the UK economy approximately £63 billion annually. A quarter of employees want more training to make full use of workplace tools, while 27% are self-upskilling due to a lack of employer support.

Notably, 82% of employees work remotely part-time. However, a third of remote and hybrid workers struggle with managing too many apps, while many also report workplace distractions that hurt their productivity.

The study found that younger workers (18-24) experience more communication challenges than older employees (45-54). Additionally, nearly 40% of workers aged 24-35 bring their own devices to work, raising data security concerns.

“The fact that people are using their own tech and would consider leaving a job because of complicated IT systems underscores a critical HR and retention issue for organizations struggling to balance tech adoption with user experience,” said Nicolai.

Recommendations for combating tech overload in the workplace

In conclusion, this research study highlights the critical need for businesses to simplify digital workspaces and focus on user-friendly solutions to improve productivity and talent retention. It’s recommended that businesses replace their outdated software with user-friendly solutions.

Lastly, organisations should conduct skills audits and provide targeted training to employees of all age groups. Companies should integrate communication and collaboration tools into a single digital workplace.