Research conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Ricoh Europe, polled 2,000 workers and 300 decision-makers across the UK and Ireland and found that flexible working remains a top priority for UK and Irish workers.
The study reveals that the majority of organisations lack the technology to support flexible working, with less than a third (28%) of UK & Irish employees saying they have all the technology to collaborate seamlessly when working with other colleagues.
Just under one in six (15%) employees do not have access to essential collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, whilst nearly a third (28%) do not have access to any collaboration hardware/hybrid meeting technology (e.g. AV technology such as video conferencing), despite this being in demand.
Insights show that business leaders recognise the problem, with one in four (25%) 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.
Surprisingly, only 14% of business decision- makers cited providing an enhanced employee experience as a strategic priority for the year ahead.
The research also shines 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 (25%) 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.
