Hybrid work may offer flexibility but it’s leaving many employees frustrated, with two-thirds reporting disruptions and distractions at the office.
A lack of workspaces, outdated technology, and long setup times are driving “desk dread,” according to new research from Logitech.
The study, which surveyed 1,350 employees across Australia, the US, UK, Germany, France and Japan, as well as 600 US-based HR leaders, identified three major barriers for hybrid workers: technology issues, setup challenges and workspace scarcity.
Nearly two-thirds of employees face tech problems on office days, including poor Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity and malfunctioning or outdated equipment.
Six in ten workers say old technology, including webcams, headsets, monitors and keyboards, hampers their productivity.
These frustrations are affecting retention, with 23% of hybrid employees considering leaving for companies with better technology, rising to 30% among Gen Z staff.
On average, hybrid employees spend 25 minutes finding a desk and setting up.
For some, particularly in companies with limited workspaces, this can exceed 40 minutes. Half of respondents report feeling frustrated by the setup process, with 26% actively dreading it.
Over half of employees say they don’t have access to all the workspaces they need.
Quiet spaces are particularly in demand, with 46% calling for more, while 37% want additional individual desks or cubicles. As a result, 31% admit to arriving early just to secure a suitable desk.
Logitech suggests three steps for employers: invest in up-to-date technology, redesign office layouts to include more quiet and flexible spaces and implement desk booking systems to streamline the setup process.
Source – https://www.channelnews.com.au/why-aussie-workers-are-facing-desk-dread/