BT says better workplace tech could cut UK sick leave by 2030
UK businesses could recover the equivalent of nine days per employee lost to sick leave by 2030 by investing in enhanced connected technology, a recent study has found.
New research conducted by BT Business indicates that improved connectivity and tech adoption may significantly boost productivity, especially in the retail, finance, and healthcare sectors.
Productivity impact
The findings suggest that technology and connectivity upgrades have the capacity to offset the 9.4 days of sick leave the average UK employee currently takes each year. Recent data showed that UK sick leave rates have almost doubled since before the pandemic. Mental health issues now account for a considerable portion of staff absences, with 41 per cent of long-term and a third of short-term leave associated with such health concerns.
The study highlights the role advanced technology could play in supporting workplace attendance and productivity. It also demonstrates that many workers believe such investment would have a positive impact on their ability to manage workloads and maintain work-life balance.
Socioeconomic issues related to ill health were also a focus of the Keep Britain Working Review published by the federal government earlier this month.
With high levels of stress reported across the UK workforce, technology failures and poor connectivity are viewed as key contributors to burnout. The study points to an opportunity for businesses to address both well-being and productivity challenges by modernising workplace systems.
"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," said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, BT Business.
Staff sentiment
According to the study, 71 per cent of employees expect technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to increase efficiency in their roles. Additionally, 66 per cent believe these innovations will help them achieve a better balance between their working and personal lives.
However, the report identifies significant concerns about existing workplace systems, with just 7 per cent of UK employees rating their current workplace technology as "cutting edge."
The study also reveals a skills gap. Three-quarters of employees believe their employers should make substantial investments in training and upskilling to prepare staff for further advances in AI and connectivity. Frustration with outdated or insufficient workplace technology has real consequences: one in four employees reported quitting or considering quitting as a result.
Sector breakdown
Differences between sectors are apparent in the study's findings. Within finance, 97 per cent of senior leaders report positive experiences with digital tools, but 59 per cent of frontline staff feel they have not been adequately trained to use such technology. Additionally, 44 per cent of lower-level managers expressed concerns about AI impacting their job security.
In retail, there is marked optimism at the top, with senior executives expecting technology to provide up to 11 hours of efficiency savings each week by 2030. Nonetheless, nearly 20 per cent of shop floor staff have considered leaving their jobs due to technology-related frustrations, which include insufficient training and outdated devices.
The healthcare sector sees three in five workers confident their organisation will be technologically prepared by 2030, aligning with the NHS's digital transition plans. That said, healthcare staff report losing an average of 5 working hours per week to unreliable or disconnected tools. Around 23 per cent of healthcare employees have left, or considered leaving, organisations because of problematic technology, seeing it as a barrier to career progression.
