According to a recent survey by Compucom, America's workforce places a high priority on technology options and the ability to choose their workplace location to enhance overall satisfaction. The survey reveals that respondents emphasize the importance of technology choice (35%) and workplace flexibility (35%) in shaping their digital workplace experience and satisfaction.
Unlike many surveys that primarily explore remote, hybrid, or in-office work preferences, Compucom's study delves into how technology and digital support, or the absence thereof, influence employees' overall work satisfaction.
“It’s clear that choice is the most important aspect of the overall digital work experience. Three years ago at the height of the pandemic, there was little choice in workplace or technology used. But despite companies having time to work out the kinks, there seems to be limited choice as workers continue to experience technology frustrations that impact their engagement and productivity,” said Heather Lockhart, CMO, Compucom.
Conducted among individuals comprising hybrid, remote, and full-time in-office workers, the survey underscores the significance of technology in shaping the employee experience. It investigates the impact of technology selection, user support, and workplace environment on career decisions and overall employee satisfaction.
Another recent global study by UKG reveals the influence of AI implementation on company culture, showing the rise of employee satisfaction with AI transparency.
There was not enough change for the employees
In comparison to a similar survey conducted on behalf of Compucom in 2022, the latest findings reveal that companies have not made significant improvements in providing necessary technology and support to their employees. The challenges experienced by remote and hybrid workers in terms of production loss and daily technology frustrations remain largely unchanged year over year.
In this year's survey, 47% of remote and hybrid workers have either switched jobs or are actively seeking new opportunities due to frustrations with workplace technology, a slight decrease from the 53% reported in the previous year.
The percentage of employees reporting "always having bad experiences with their workplace technology" has increased from 20% in 2022 to 23% in 2023.
The time lost due to these technological frustrations has slightly increased, with employees losing an average of 21 minutes this year compared to 20 minutes last year, equating to more than two weeks per year per employee.
Shaping the employee experience
In recent years, the digital workplace experience has become a central concern for numerous companies. Compucom, in response, introduced four key dimensions shaping the digital employee experience: Technology Choice, Workplace Flexibility, Self-Sufficiency, and Feeling Well-Supported.
The survey concentrated on these dimensions and uncovered distinctive differences in the primary technology and support preferences of remote, hybrid, and full-time in-office workers.
For fully remote workers, 50% identified technology choice as the most crucial element in their overall digital work experience.
Among hybrid workers, 43% emphasized that workplace flexibility holds the utmost importance for them. In contrast, 25% of full-time in-office workers highlighted the significance of being well-supported, a preference that stood out twice as much as the other groups.
