People value autonomy and flexibility more than workplace technology

People place greater value on autonomy and flexibility at work than on access to better workplace technology, according to new research that suggests organisations may need to rethink how they approach workplace transformation projects. The survey found that a third of respondents (33 percent) identified autonomy as the most important element of a well-designed employee experience, while 30 percent cited flexibility. By comparison, 21 percent said improved digital tools were the most important factor and only 15 percent pointed to leadership that listens. The findings come at a time when organisations continue to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, automation and digital workplace programmes in an effort to improve productivity, engagement and performance.

According to the research, workplace technology is increasingly regarded as a basic requirement rather than a defining feature of the employee experience. Employees appear more concerned with whether technology enables them to work more effectively and with greater control than with the technology itself. The results suggest that investments in digital tools may have less impact if they are not accompanied by changes to working practices that increase autonomy and flexibility.

Niklas Mortensen, EMEA chief design officer at Designit, said the findings should give organisations pause as they continue to accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption. He argued that the value of technology is determined less by its capabilities than by the extent to which it removes friction from work and supports the way people want to operate. “Technology is undoubtedly important, but the real opportunity lies in how organisations design work around those tools,” he said. “Employees are far more likely to see value from new technology when it gives them greater control over how work gets done, removes friction from everyday tasks and supports the way they want to work.”

Mortensen said there is a risk that organisations focus on the deployment of AI tools rather than the outcomes they are intended to achieve. As digital transformation programmes mature, he suggested that attention should shift towards the design of work itself, including how employees are involved in implementation decisions and how much freedom teams are given to adapt tools to their own needs. “The next phase of workplace transformation isn’t simply about introducing new technology,” he said. “It’s about designing ways of working that enable people to get the best from it.”