A report by Fujitsu into the UK’s digital landscape has revealed that 74 per cent of employees in the utilities sector want their company to invest more in digital technology, such as tablets and mobile phones, which give employees the ability to work remotely.
According to the report, the provision of digital technology by utilities organisations has been welcomed by consumers, but the sector is falling behind in meeting the digital needs of employees.
While 92 per cent of employees say they have a strong understanding of the digital technology options available to them, more than a third (37 per cent) feel they don’t get optimum usage from the digital services on offer because of insufficient training or concerns about the potential security risks.
In addition, 38 per cent of utilities employees feel their job is actually being hindered by technology services and applications.
Fujitsu stressed that as the sector embraces digital for its customers, it “must address the needs of its employees to ensure they are not left behind”.
The report points out that, as digital services improve, employees become more confident about the positive impact on their own working lives.
The company’s UK and Ireland chief executive Michael Keegan said there is “no question” that digital has had a “significant impact on business”.
He said: “The rapid adoption of technology by consumers has led to organisations creating and delivering digital services to their customers at a rapid pace. This research suggests that employees have been left behind in the race to deliver digital.
“Now is the time for these organisations to integrate their digital offering front and back of house to capitalise on the opportunities available. When staff are as enabled as their customers, organisations will truly reap the financial and efficiency rewards of a digital first business.”