- BT Business finds that the average UK worker takes 9.4 sick days each year
- Retail and finance workers say they lack adequate training in new tools
- Unsuitable software can add stress, leading to mental health days
New research has claimed that upgrading connectivity to the UK workplace could increase employee productivity by around nine days a year by the end of the decade – a not insignificant number, with the average UK worker taking 9.4 sick days a year.
Around three-quarters of workers surveyed in BT’s new Future Unlocked report recognize that new technology, such as AI tools, can increase their productivity, while two-thirds believe it will also improve their work-life balance.
The report describes how retail, finance and healthcare can benefit most from technological transformations.
Appropriate software can prevent sick days
BT called the NHS’s 10-year plan to switch from analogue to digital, citing worker frustration with unreliable tools, outdated technology and IT frustrations.
For finance and retail staff, the need for further training is clear, with 59% of frontline finance staff claiming not to have received enough and 19% of retail staff considering quitting.
According to research cited in the BT report, 41% of long-term absence and a third of short-term leave can be attributed to mental health, with workplace stress continuing to rise.
Separately, four in five (79%) workers report moderate to high levels of stress at work, with many citing inappropriate technological and productivity aids.
“We live in an increasingly digital age; only by embracing modern technologies such as AI and the cloud and giving them fast, secure and reliable connectivity will we see a healthy boost in productivity,” explained Chris Sims, BT Business Chief Commercial Officer.
Currently, only 7% of UK workers consider their workplace technology to be ‘leading edge’ – 10 times as many (77%) are demanding more training and upskilling ahead of the AI shift.
“By focusing on improving connectivity over the next five years, companies will not only increase productivity, but also take practical steps to improve employee retention and customer experience,” Sims added.
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