Bad tech pushes employees to quit

A third of European leaders and managers would consider switching roles in the next year. Another third would do the same if the economy improves.

That’s according to DocuSign’s 2023 Digital Maturity Report, which surveyed 1,800 decision makers in Germany, France, and the UK.

The report found that almost half would consider ditching their roles to get rid of legacy technology and ways of workers. In addition, a third of those who are already planning on leaving their jobs are doing so because they are frustrated with the systems and infrastructure in place.

Although more than four in five respondents consider themselves technologically savvy, only 16% believe the digital tools used at their jobs meet their expectations. 65% believe their company is experiencing a skills gap around digital tools and technology.

A major area of frustration is the amount of time spent on busy work.  DocuSign’s report found that the average employee spends 12 hours per week on non-value adding, manual, and repetitive work, and eight of those hours could be automated now.

“A lack of digital maturity and an over-reliance on manual, outdated processes and systems is not only hindering everyday productivity and performance, but risks driving a mass exodus of workers to seek new opportunities,” Ronan Copeland, group vice-president and general manager for EMEA at DocuSign shares exclusively with UNLEASH.

This exodus of talent is already underway and causing skills problems. Nearly half of respondents report not being able to fulfill their day-to-day digital expectations due to a lack of trained talent. 52% report the same for completing tasks as part of their strategic plans.

Get your tech right to retain workers

The good news is that next steps are clear, and some organizations are already making moves.

“Organizations are working to stem this tide and see digitization and automation as a way to overcome the challenge and create greater business value,” continues Copeland. “Two in three are increasing their adoption of digital technologies in order to better compete. Nearly a quarter (24%) are using AI tools like ChatGPT to drive efficiencies.”

The key to organizational success is putting “a plan in place to modernize IT where needed and bringing your employees on the journey. Digitally savvy workers will see a roadmap, and the digitally nervous will know there’s a plan and guidance to support them through it,” explains Copeland.

He continues: “Leaders must share the future vision that technology will help create. This doesn’t need to involve transformative, sizable change; more often than not it’s about iterative digital improvements.”

“Taking steps to optimize digital strategies and tools already in place, whilst seeking new ways to bolster processes, drive efficiencies and accelerate ways of working will not only unlock short-term efficiency but long-term value.”

Tech is changing faster than ever, and companies need to get with the program. They can no longer rely on yearly evaluations (as DocuSign found 37% currently do) if they want to keep up and retain their top talent.