In-office technology lets down most UK workers and hampers productivity

• 59% of UK office workers report that improving tech in the workplace – including Wi-Fi connectivity – would increase productivity
• Under 34s are among the most frustrated with their technology
• Technology in meeting rooms among the most common complaints

Simple tasks are taking UK office workers too long due to the standard of in-office technology according to over half the workforce (56%), reveals new data from global software and technology company essensys.

As companies continue to navigate hybrid working, the reliability of technology is creating issues in offices up and down the country according to the latest survey of 2,500 UK office workers from essensys, which digitally enables buildings, spaces and real estate portfolios.

Wi-Fi is a common gripe, with slow and unreliable Wi-Fi letting down over a quarter (26%) of UK office workers. Poor connectivity is more prevalent outside  London, with nearly half (47%) of office workers in the East Midlands experiencing poor Wi-Fi, compared to 17% in the capital.

Tech grievances are causing frustrations amongst the workforce too, with over half (53%) of office workers frustrated with their in-office technology, rising to 59% of Londoners and under 34s.

James Shannon, Chief Product and Technology Officer, essensys, comments, “The appeal of the office is about the ability to see colleagues and collaborate, but has grown reliant on its ability to facilitate productive working. Therefore, removing tech-related frustration is essential. As our ways of working changed over the last two years and people increasingly return to the office, we have seen how vital tech is to office workers.”

Productivity in the workplace would increase, according to 59% of UK office workers, if the Wi-Fi connectivity in their office was more reliable, increasing to 69% of 18–34-year-olds. The need to collaborate between home and office has increased in light of the pandemic, with teams more likely to be split across locations and using Teams and Zoom to conduct meetings.

A third of people (33%) can waste up to 30 minutes at a time trying to project their laptop to a meeting room, while over one in five (22%) report that technology in meeting rooms lets them down the most. Nearly a third (32%) of under 34s would like tech-enabled meeting rooms, making them the most important tech capability for enticing younger workers back into the office.

Shannon adds, “The evolution of in-office technology to ensure productive and efficient working is essential if companies are to continue to encourage employees back to their office desks. This encouragement is necessary given that our recent data shows how office attendance continued to fluctuate this summer.  As companies continue to assess office needs, this research provides insight into the challenges the sector will continue to face if tech is not a key consideration.”

essensys’ data shows that when temperatures hit their peak during July’s heatwave office attendance dropped by 32% on the week.

-ENDS-