Generational Ideas of Office Technology Quality
How you perceive the quality of technology in your office depends on your age, research suggests. A recent survey commissioned by power module manufacturer CMD found that young people are generally more pessimistic than their older colleagues when it comes to attitudes towards workplace tech.
Around a fifth of 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed said their office is ‘way behind in both style and technology’, compared to just one in ten workers aged 35-44.
Bruce Cantrill, marketing manager at CMD, said: “Younger generations have grown up with smart technology and place extremely high demands on it. They constantly update their personal devices and expect the same in their place of work.
“In contrast, older generations expect less of technology due to their much gentler introduction to the digital world.”
Many businesses are investing in the latest technologies to attract new talent. However, this can be a costly and time-consuming process – indeed, 36% of 25 to 34-year-olds said their office is ‘a combination of old and new technology’.
An earlier study by Dropbox and Ipsos Mori found that young employees experience more issues when working with several devices than their older colleagues. They also report feeling more stressed when using technology at work.
These findings contrast a report by the British Medical Association on aging and the workplace, which highlighted how ‘older workers are reluctant to adapt to change and to new technologies’.
Bruce Cantrill concludes: “Creating an ‘age-neutral’ workplace is a challenge faced by many companies, as is ‘invisibly’ addressing age-related issues. Investing in smarter technology can benefit employees of all generations, for very different reasons.
“For example, on-desk power modules provide instant charging options for multiple devices, while providing accessible power for workers who are less inclined to crawl under desks to access an available socket. Likewise, wireless charging hubs and sit-stand desks enhance working conditions for all age groups.”