Microsoft Says the Majority of UK Workers Still Use the Same Device as Last Year

A new study conducted by YouGov for Microsoft reveals that 66 percent of the workers in the United Kingdom are still using the same device as before the start of the pandemic.

In other words, their companies haven’t upgraded their devices as frequently as before, so now that most people are working from home, this could lead to serious productivity problems.

Microsoft says that its research indicated no less than 35 percent of the workers who received a new device since last year actually reported a noticeable increase in productivity.

“Employees feel they are not being listened to. Half (51%) of them believe devices are provided based on job role alone – with individual requirements not considered as standard. Only 31% feel their individual needs and accessibility requirements are taken into consideration, a number that drops to just 17% for frontline workers,” the Redmond-based software giant explains.

More companies buying new devices next year

Employees totally want new devices, the study shows. No less than 29 percent of the workers who use a company-issued device claim they would feel more positive about the work and their employer if they receive a new device, while 16 percent say they would be more motivated.

“There also appears to be some confusion among employees regarding the decision-making process, with nearly three-in-10 employees (29%) admitting they are unsure how devices are allocated. The data suggests that if IT leaders make a point of surveying staff and soliciting their feedback on device requirements, they will discover significant common ground between what employees say they need and what IT wants to deliver. Involving employees in the process will help ensure their requirements are met, as well as potentially improve productivity and positivity towards the company,” the study reveals.

The good news is that more than 55 percent of the companies plan to invest in new devices in 2022, with 35 percent of them saying they want to purchase new laptops, while 20 percent would invest in smartphones.