Digital discrimination causing workplace resentment
Research by Citrix suggests a lot of employees are suffering from flexible working envy
Jealousy among employees is rife as managers are given more flexi-working perks than their less managerially endowed workmates, according to claims from Citrix.
The research firm found that more "grade-A" employees, qualifying as higher managerial, administrative and professional employees, are enjoying the privileges and benefits of remote and mobile working practices than those classed as "C1 staff", described as supervisory, clerical and junior management.
Of 2,000 UK office workers questioned, 41 per cent of the highest-level managerial staff were given work smartphones and tablets, compared with just 34 per cent of middle management and 17 per cent of supervisory, clerical and low-level managerial staff.
The research also revealed that receiving permission to work remotely also differs according to "social grade" and job role – with 59 per cent of most senior management allowed to work from home once a month, this fell to 43 per cent for middle management and 26 per cent for admin staff.
James Stevenson, area vice president for Citrix Northern Europe, said; "It is often assumed that ‘digital divides’ occur between town and country, old and young or rich and poor. However, our research shows that a similar divide is beginning to develop in business – despite the fact that almost two thirds of lower-ranking staff can work from anywhere they have a phone and broadband connection, just a quarter of them are allowed to do so.”
He added: “Businesses can reap huge gains in staff productivity, morale and loyalty from enabling more flexible and mobile working patterns among their entire workforce. The alternative, the emergence of digital discrimination, runs the risk of sowing feelings of unrest within the organisation and falling behind more progressive firms.”
Citrix claimed this "digital discrimination" is the cause of frustration among lower-ranking staff, with 22 per cent feeling jealous, 16 per cent feeling resentful and 16 per cent feeling annoyed, and some believing the restrictions placed on more junior staff point to an unspoken trust issue from more senior levels of business.
The research claimed that by prioritising remote working for senior levels of staff, rather than addressing the needs of the workforce as a whole, companies are missing out on business benefits such as improved staff recruitment and retention, and financial savings through office space reduction.
Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University, said in a statement: “As suggested by the Citrix research, there is clearly an increasing appetite from some employees at all levels to work more remotely. A variety of societal and cultural factors are driving changes to our traditional nine-to-five working practices and, as such, it is important for employers to lift restrictions and offer all workers the opportunity to benefit from flexible working practices.
"Choice will be key, though – some employees may prefer the social interaction and team environment that comes with working in an office. Some may be reticent to work from home in the fear that it may adversely affect their career in a tough economic environment and saturated job market. Either way, by providing a choice, businesses can foster trust, loyalty and – crucially to productivity – job satisfaction among staff.”