According to new research carried out by Apogee Corporationi, four in ten public sector workers are considering leaving their jobs for a new role because they don’t have the technology they need to collaborate effectively with their colleagues. The research indicates that, as a result, many are experiencing feelings of frustration and isolation – especially when working from home.
The public sector has faced many challenges over recent years. The pandemic brought the UK economy to a standstill, the war in Ukraine has disrupted supply chains and driven up energy prices, and the urgency to level up the country and provide homes to people in need have put significant pressures on central and local governments. Because of these competing demands, the public sector has limited resources to invest in new technologies to support their workforce.
It’s important to consider the bigger picture, too. Staff turnover can be expensive – recruitment, onboarding and training, and administration all come at a cost. That’s without considering the long-term implications of a high staff turnover – with organisations losing talented colleagues, disruption to client relationships and the negative effect these things can have on employee morale. Therefore, it’s important that the public sector nurture the talent they already have in their organisations and provide the resources their employees need.
New technologies don’t always have to come with a hefty price tag. There are cost-effective products on the market which ease pressures on organisations and their employees.
Collaboration tools that allow people to connect and work together can go a long way when it comes to creating a positive culture and happy workforces. Teamwork leads to increased job satisfaction because people enjoy working together, feeling valued and contributing to a successful project. When it comes to problem solving, collaboration gives people the opportunity to pool their knowledge and skills to tackle challenges head on – and learn from one another at the same time. On the flip side, when individuals with different expertise and perspectives work together, they can generate innovative ideas and solutions that lead to new approaches.
Dynamic Work Management tools that help build this kind of environment make employees feel more supported and less isolated in their role. While helping with collaboration, they can help projects run efficiently more generally. Many tools enable people to track projects, progress workstreams and assign tasks. They give project leads and co-ordinators a central space to store documents and files – making it easier for teams to access what they need - when they need it.
The importance of time tracking and reporting features should not be underestimated. Effective time management reduces stress and prevents burnout – allowing team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. These tools often include collaboration features, which promote a sense of belonging - leading to a positive work experience more generally.
Nurturing your workforce and looking out for the wellbeing of your employees is essential and must be prioritised. Project management technologies can make it easier to recognise and reward people that go above and beyond as they often track individual and team achievements. Acknowledgement and rewards positively impact job satisfaction and general motivation.
It is alarming people are considering leaving their job due to the lack of collaborative technology. We must do what we can to retain the talent we have in the public sector. Clearly, collaborative tools go a long way and project management technology is making large strides in changing the current state of play. They facilitate communication, enhance teamwork, and reduce stress – allowing organisations to adopt a culture of happiness and job satisfaction.
