Upgrading the connected technology we use in the workplace could boost the productivity of Britain’s businesses by nine days per employee, equivalent to the average time lost to sick leave for employers by 2030. That’s according to a new study by BT Business, which shows how better connectivity can transform UK businesses.
The Future Unlocked report shows tech adoption across key sectors like retail, finance and healthcare can improve the workplace experience and deliver rapid growth over the next five years, effectively offsetting the impact of staff absence due to sickness.
The findings come soon after latest data from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reveals UK workers took an average of 9.4 sick days last year1, almost double pre-pandemic levels. Mental health accounted for 41% of long-term absences and a third of short-term leave2, as rising workplace stress holds back UK productivity.
One of the main drivers of economic inactivity, ill health is also the focus of the Keep Britain Working Review published earlier this month. This Government-led initiative, supported by BT, aims to make health at work a shared responsibility between employers, employees and health services.
With 79% of employees reporting moderate-to-high levels of stress at work3, one in four employees say they have quit, or at least considered it, due to tech frustrations in the workplace. Future Unlocked suggests technology can help businesses tackle burnout.
The study also finds that almost three-quarters (71%) of UK workers think innovations like AI will drive efficiency in the workplace, while two thirds (66%) believe it will help them improve their work-life balance. Expectations on progress and the current state of tech adoption vary across sectors. While 97% of C-Suite leaders in finance believe nearly half of tasks will be automated by 2030, two in five within retail describe their current workplace systems as “basic”.
Chris Sims, chief commercial officer at BT Business, said: “Unlocking productivity gains across the business community is one of the biggest challenges we face if we’re to deliver sustained economic growth nationwide. We live in an increasingly digital age; only by embracing modern technologies such as AI & the cloud, and enabling them with fast, secure and reliable connectivity, will we see a healthy productivity boost.
“Innovation and automation can empower teams to deliver their best work efficiently, which boosts retention and job satisfaction. By focusing on improving connectivity over the next five years, companies will not only supercharge productivity but also take practical steps towards improving staff retention and customer experience.”
The productivity payoff
Currently only 7% of UK employees view their workplace technology as leading edge, while three quarters (77%) believe their employers must radically step up training and upskilling to prepare for the AI revolution.
Finance
While 97% of senior finance leaders report positive experiences with workplace technology, three in five frontline staff (59%) say they have not received enough training to make the most of tools like AI, and 44% of lower management fear it could take their job.
Retail
C-Suite retail leaders expect AI and automation to help them claw back an average of 11 hours a week in efficiency savings by 2030. On the shop floor, however, nearly one in five retail workers (19%) have considered quitting due to tech frustrations, such as insufficient training on new systems, outdated devices, and unreliable connectivity.
Health
The shift from analogue to digital is a cornerstone of the NHS 10 Year Plan and three in five healthcare workers (60%) back their organisation to be future-ready by 2030. However, staff report losing five hours a week on average to disconnected or unreliable tools. A quarter (23%) of worker says they left or are considering leaving their organisation due to IT frustrations, with outdated tech seen as a barrier to career growth.
