Leadership and employees often see technology through very different lenses. While leadership may assume the current setup is good enough, employees are dealing with daily frustrations like slow systems, disconnected tools, unclear support channels, and limited flexibility. That disconnect leads to lost productivity, lower morale, and higher turnover.
Most employees won’t speak up. They’ll work around the issues until something breaks or burnout sets in. So we’ll say what they won’t. Here’s what your team wishes you knew about the technology they use every day and what you can do to close the gap.
"Everything takes longer than it should."
What leadership may see as minor system delays often feel much bigger to those on the front lines. Waiting for files to load, struggling with outdated software, or navigating slow logins can make even basic tasks take longer than necessary. Over time, these inefficiencies pile up, draining hours from the workweek.
According to a Deloitte survey, 56% of respondents believe that digital collaboration tools significantly improve communication.
McKinsey data supports this, showing that social technologies can improve knowledge worker productivity by 20% to 25%. Still, more than half of employees say they would consider leaving a job that doesn’t provide the right technology to stay connected and efficient.
What leadership can do:
- Audit system performance regularly. Identify the tools and workflows that cause delays and explore improvements that reduce friction without overcomplicating operations.
Further Reading: The Cost of Outdated IT Support
#1 "We’re wasting time fixing our own technology."
When something breaks, many employees don’t feel they have a reliable or responsive support channel. Instead, they turn to Google, colleagues, or trial-and-error troubleshooting. This not only wastes time but also introduces unnecessary risk when temporary fixes go unchecked.
In one survey, 92% of Gen Z respondents said immediate and effective tech support is either “very important” or “somewhat important.” Nearly a third expect IT issues to be resolved in under a day, with a notable portion expecting solutions within hours.
What leadership can do:
- Ensure your IT support model is clearly communicated and easily accessible. Consider the speed of your response as critical as the quality of the resolution.
#2 "We’re constantly switching between too many disconnected tools."
Adding more tools doesn’t always equate to better performance. In fact, systems that don’t integrate can force employees into inefficient workflows, manually moving data, duplicating tasks, and managing multiple logins.
Nearly half of managers report feeling overwhelmed by technology, and 61% of employees say they spend more time than they’d like trying to get technology to work.
What leadership can do:
- Prioritize integration when selecting new systems. A streamlined tech stack not only improves user experience but also reduces the cognitive load on employees juggling multiple platforms.
#3 "We’re worried about security, but don’t know what to do."
Employees understand the importance of security but are often left to figure it out on their own. Without clear policies, easy-to-use tools, and regular training, even well-meaning employees can become the weakest link in your cybersecurity posture.
Confusing or outdated systems can lead to behaviors like reusing passwords, relying on unsecured personal devices, or falling victim to phishing attempts.
What leadership can do:
- Invest in secure tools that don’t get in the way of work. Provide ongoing cybersecurity training, implement multi-factor authentication, and offer clear, accessible guidelines that support secure habits.
Further Reading: Are Humans Really the Weakest Link in Cybersecurity
#4 "We feel left out of technology decisions that affect us every day."
When new systems or changes are introduced without employee input, adoption suffers. Employees are more likely to resist or work around new technology if they weren’t consulted, especially when those tools impact their daily routines.
A significant 92% of C-suite executives say they’re satisfied with their company’s technology experience, while only 68% of staff agree.
Furthermore, nearly three-quarters of employees say they know of systems that would help them do better work, yet 46% feel their tech-savviness isn’t valued.
What leadership can do:
- Engage key users early in the decision-making process. Department leads and high-use employees can provide feedback that leads to better purchasing decisions and smoother implementation.
#5 "We want more flexibility."
Many companies are pushing for agility, but their technology hasn’t kept pace. Systems built for traditional office environments often don’t support hybrid or mobile work well, leaving employees tethered to outdated setups that limit their ability to move quickly and work from anywhere.
Flexible work is no longer a perk. It’s an expectation. Gen Z workers in particular are driving this shift, with 23% preferring remote roles and 32% favoring hybrid setups. And yet, only 60% of employees report being satisfied with the mobile tools available to them.
What leadership can do:
- Modernize infrastructure to support a flexible workforce. That includes investing in cloud-based platforms, mobile device compatibility, and communication tools that work just as well outside the office as they do inside it.
Further Reading: 5 Signs Your Business Needs a Cloud Phone System
#6 A Widening Gap Between Businesses
There’s a growing divide in the small and midsize business world. Some organizations have made significant progress by adopting cloud platforms, strengthening cybersecurity, and building out responsive IT support.
Others are still relying on one internal person to manage the entire infrastructure, stuck with outdated software, desk phones, and unaddressed security vulnerabilities.
This isn’t just a technology problem. It’s a competitive risk.
The Changing Workforce
As Gen Z and millennials become the majority of the workforce, expectations around flexibility, mobility, and modern digital tools are rising quickly. Hybrid work and seamless access aren’t nice-to-haves anymore. They’re expected. If your business can’t provide them, employees may look elsewhere for the support and tools they need to succeed.
Technology continues to evolve at a fast pace. From artificial intelligence to automation, the businesses that stay ahead will move faster, adapt quicker, and attract better talent. The ones that don’t will fall behind.
IT Support That Works for Everyone
Your employees want to do great work. They want to be productive, secure, and supported. But if the technology they use every day is holding them back, that’s exactly what will happen.
Modernizing your IT isn’t just about systems. It’s about people. It’s about giving your team the right tools, the right support, and the right environment to thrive.
At Just Solutions, we help businesses build IT setups that work for everyone, from leadership to the front lines. Simple. Secure. Fully supported.
Want to hear what your team might not be saying out loud? We can help put it in perspective. Contact us today.