Most firms lack the right tech for hybrid working

A new poll from Ricoh Europe claims that the majority of organisations lack the technology to support flexible working, with only 30 percent of European employees saying they have all the technology to collaborate seamlessly when working with other colleagues.

The research, conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Ricoh Europe, polled 7,000 workers and 1,800 decision makers across Europe. It suggest that flexible working remains a top priority for European workers, with employees citing having more flexible working arrangements, including the ability to plan and schedule to ensure their workplace needs are met in advance of the working day (desk, location, workplace technology), as the primary reason to reconsider leaving their role in the next 12 months.

Despite the value employees place upon working flexibly, many still lack the basic tools to do so, according to the report. One in five (20 percent) employees do not have access to essential collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, whilst 29 percent do not have access to any collaboration hardware/hybrid meeting technology (e.g. AV technology such as video conferencing), despite this being in demand.

The report goes on to say that business leaders recognise the problem, with just under one in four (24 percent) admitting that their collaboration tools are not up to industry standard, which is making it hard for employees to do their day-to-day jobs. However, despite technology stacks remaining unchanged, only 17 percent of business decision makers cited providing an enhanced employee experience as a strategic priority for the year ahead.

The research also purports to shine a light on how business leaders should be placing employee satisfaction and experience at the forefront of their agenda this year. This starts with flexible working, as nearly a quarter (24 percent) of employees said that not being forced to work in the office but being given the right technology to work wherever benefits them would be a key way to increase their fulfilment at work.