Two-thirds of workers in the West Midlands say poor workplace tech is bad for their health

Almost two-thirds (59%) of workers in Birmingham and 60% of staff across the West Midlands say that poor workplace technology is having a detrimental effect on their work:life balance, according to new research.

In Birmingham, 46% of workers say that poor technology at work has a bad effect on their mental wellbeing, 46% their financial wellbeing, and 31% believe that workplace technology and their digital skills are holding them back at work.

The survey, commissioned by Birmingham-based employee engagement firm HIVE360, also found that 34% of staff in Birmingham believe that technology in their workplace is not fit for purpose.

Good pay and bonuses are most important to Birmingham workers, with 56% saying this is what they think makes a good employer, followed by an employers’ open and honest communication (50%), regular recognition (50%), and flexible working (48%).

More than 1,000 UK workers in a range of roles from senior decision makers to support staff and temporary workers, took part in the research, commissioned by HIVE360 in a bid to improve employee engagement – one of the fastest developing growth strategies for UK businesses – to help UK employers better understand the issues workplace technology creates for their staff, and educate them on what they should change to help ease workers’ biggest workplace worries.

With mental health affecting around 15% of the UK’s workforce, the survey set-out to identify the impact poor workplace technology has on mental wellbeing. The findings reveal that for more than half (59%) of senior decision makers, poor workplace technology has an adverse effect on their mental health.

However, stigma and taboos around mental health appear to still exist in the workplace, with more than a quarter (28%) of workers nationwide and 30% of staff in Birmingham, saying they would be uncomfortable speaking with their employer about their mental health issues.

Less than half (45%) of workers in the West Midlands say they would be comfortable discussing their finances with their employer. With 29% of workers in Birmingham and 26% of those in the West Midlands admitting they have no idea what their pension is worth, 32% of workers in the region say it would be helpful if their employer gave more guidance on how to access information about their pension.

CEO of HIVE360 David McCormack said: “Growing numbers of staff are looking beyond financial gain from an employer, and we know that more and more people are actively looking for a positive work:life experience. How much employees are engaged with the business and their employer plays a significant role in their overall health and wellbeing. If employers offered actual tangible support on issues such as mental and physical health as well as financial wellbeing, the impacts on employee productivity levels and the overall performance of the business would increase significantly.

“Access to information and support about finances and pensions, and to resources that help maintain good mental health, is key to happier, healthier and more engaged employees.

“Our survey confirms that workers want an accessible technology platform to see things like salary, benefits and pension information. It found that around 36% of women and 33% of men use their mobile phone for managing their finances, with 12% of men and 16% of women also using their mobile to keep track of their fitness and activity. To enable better employee engagement, it is vital that technology is easy to use and provides information staff want on the platforms and devices they use every day. The vast majority of UK workers have a mobile phone, and it makes sense to utilise this technology and put the tools employees say they need in the palm of their hand.

“An engaged and happy workforce can transform a business,” he adds. “The positive link between engaged employees and improved productivity is proven and well documented, with figures putting increased productivity at between 20 and 25 percent* when a workforce says it is engaged with the business. Engaged employees boost productivity by 18 per cent and profitability by 12 per cent.”