Technology implemented to keep employees engaged and productive is frustrating and slowing them down. According to a new study from Citrix Systems, employees feel they’ve been given too many tools and not enough efficient ways to execute. And it’s hindering their ability to get things done.

In response to the global pandemic, companies have given their workforce the tools they need to work remotely. And research shows it has increased their engagement and productivity. But these gains are on the brink of being wiped out.

“People are working the same or more hours, but they’re accomplishing less because technology is getting in their way,” said Tim Minahan, Executive Vice President, Business Strategy, Citrix. “As companies organize around new, hybrid work models, they need to rethink the role of technology and how they apply it across their organizations so that employees, rather than being frustrated, are empowered to succeed.”

Citrix undertook Work Your Way, a survey of 1,000 IT decision makers and 2,000 workers across the United States conducted by OnePoll, which revealed a few significant trends:

App Sprawl is Out of Control

The number of tools employees are required to use to do their jobs has significantly increased, as has the complexity they are creating in the workplace. As uncovered by the survey:

• 64 percent of workers are using more communication and collaboration tools than they were prior to the pandemic, and
• 71 percent say they have made work more complex.

“Employees are frustrated, and to keep them engaged and performing at their best, companies need to eliminate the friction and noise from work and deliver technology that adapts to their workstyles rather than forcing them to learn new ways of doing things,” Minahan said.

A New Digital Divide is Emerging

Nearly 90 percent of respondents to the survey say they want the flexibility to continue to work at home and in the office post pandemic.

“Regardless of their physical location, employees need to be empowered with tools that provide a consistent, secure and reliable experience and allow them to work the way they work best,” Minahan said.

Almost 90 percent of participants in the survey say their companies use digital workspace software platforms to facilitate hybrid/distributed working. And they are delivering results.

• 72 percent of employees say they have improved productivity, and
• 77 percent indicate they have aided collaboration

“In creating a layer between employees and the technology that frustrates them, companies can empower them to efficiently engage with the apps they need to execute work and achieve their goals,” Minahan said.