Today’s office workers rely on technology to get the job done. But how do they feel about that technology?
The only real way to answer a question like this is to go to the source. That’s why Paycom commissioned a survey, conducted by OnePoll, of 1,000 American employees, many of whom are currently working from home.
Unpacking the numbers
Seventy-seven percent of office workers said they could get more work done with fully up-to-date technology. A similar number cited ongoing technology- and software-related issues, including ready access to information, even after months spent working from home.
The obvious implication of being stuck with outdated technology is frustration. But to provide a better idea of just how frustrated employees are, nearly 70% said they would be willing to take a pay cut if it meant their workplace tech could be twice as effective as what they’re using now.
Furthermore, employees’ expectations, shaped by the tech they use in their personal lives, do not necessarily align with the reality of their work lives. For example, only 18% were able to use benefits software to make their enrollment decisions, meaning most respondents still used paper forms, email or another outdated, manual method, likely resulting in duplicated work and a high risk for data errors.
Meanwhile, just over half of employees (51%) surveyed said their company already has an online HR platform in place, but of those, more than three-fourths (77%) said the platform wasn’t being utilized to provide information during the pandemic.
These and other tech frustrations — not to mention the wasted hours that result from them — caused 67% of employees to feel like their company doesn’t sufficiently prioritize updating its technology.
Benefits beyond the employee
The superior technology employees want isn’t some science-fiction figment of their imaginations. It exists now. Some organizations have already taken steps to implement it, with others surely poised to follow.
For less adaptive organizations, the willpower to change can and should start with an understanding of the benefits. And there are many benefits, not just to employees, but to the bottom line. These include improved allocation of time and money, higher degrees of employee engagement and increased efficiencies across the board, all of which converge in mutually reinforcing cycles of improvement.
The big picture has always been clear. Numbers like those revealed in the OnePoll research only make it clearer.
For organizations ready to ease their employees’ tech-related frustrations, Paycom is here to help. Our single software incorporates a broad range of digital tools to streamline HR-related tasks across every stage of the employee life cycle. It also meets employees where they are now, with key functions accessible on the mobile devices they’re already using in their everyday lives.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided herein does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal, tax, accounting or other professional advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation and for your particular state(s) of operation.
