Don’t fall into the

generation

gapCorporate IT departments are mistakenly jumping on the consumerisation bandwagon to meet the needs of Generation Z workers, according to new research.

Although three-quarters of organisations now allow employees to use personal devices for work purposes, almost half of Generation Z workers aged between 16 and 24 believe that it is more important for companies to stay in control of data than to embrace consumerisation.

Pierre Hall, Director of Workplace Collaboration and Software, comments: “Generation Z just want to be given the right tools to do the job; although they have grown up with instant messaging and high-tech gadgets, they don’t necessarily want to bring them to work.”

In fact the survey, which was conducted by Loudhouse Research on behalf of Computacenter, reveals that 85 per cent of Generation Z employees actually prefer to communicate with their work colleagues face-to-face rather than use new online collaboration tools. For example, only 17 per cent voted for using instant messaging or social media networks in the workplace.

“Although home and work technologies have yet to converge for many Generation Z employees, corporate IT departments need to ensure they can meet the heightened performance and flexibility expectations of members of staff – young and old,” comments Pierre. “If corporate IT systems prevent workers from delivering their best, they could start to take matters into their own hands.”

More choice, more control Seventy-five per cent of Generation Z want their employers to provide more extensive technology at work, in particular iPhones and laptops. Yet only eight per cent of organisations have a current or planned deployment for smartphones.

Research reveals IT departments have misjudged the attitudes of young workers towards new workplace technologies and trends.

The independent survey was carried out in February 2012 by Loudhouse Research and involved more than 200 IT professionals and 1,000 employees aged 16 to 24.

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The research demonstrates that IT departments are aware of this disparity; meeting user expectations for new devices and more flexible access points were cited as the two biggest challenges by over half of IT professionals.

“IT departments need to avoid getting caught up in the hype surrounding consumerisation – it is just one of many enablers for today’s contemporary workplace,” comments Pierre.

“Organisations also need to optimise their collaboration solutions, workplace operating systems and client devices to address the growing working requirements of employees of all ages.”

The survey suggests that the consumerisation hype cycle has already clouded the perception of potential benefits. For example, 69 per cent of IT professionals think using personal technologies in the workplace improves employee productivity - yet only 49 per cent of Generation Z workers are of the same opinion.

They are also surprisingly pragmatic about the potential disruptive nature of deploying new technologies in the workplace. More than 60 per cent of Generation Z think that social networking and similar tools could prove a distraction to work activities.

As such, only 16 per cent think social networking should be permitted as part of corporate policy; personal email, online storage and tools also get the thumbs down for unrestricted use by at least half of Generation Z.

“The research demonstrates that younger employees recognise that new workplace technologies can enhance and encumber productivity,” comments Pierre. “Rather than second-guessing Generation Z’s requirements, IT departments need to engage directly with this growing user group to create an accurate profile of their work-style. As the research reveals, the workplace is not being defined by the consumerisation of IT but more by the ‘corporatisation’ of younger workers.”

Breaking the rules The survey also reveals a major gap between the IT department’s perception of how personal devices are being used and the workplace reality, which could lead to data security and support issues. An optimistic 87 per cent of IT professionals believe that employees generally follow corporate policies for the usage of personal devices.

Generation Z workers, however, are more realistic about the risk of non-compliance, with only 53 per cent believing that employees toe the corporate line when it comes to personal device polices. While almost a quarter think that employees generally disregard company policy – and for their generation, they are right.

Just over 20 per cent of Generation Z admit to using mobiles to access personal applications at work without their employers’ knowledge, while 16 per cent access work applications behind their employers’ backs.

“IT departments need to ensure they don’t come disconnected from not only Generation Z employees but also other core user groups,” comments Pierre. “By undertaking a work-styling exercise, organisations will be able to prioritise their investment in the best-fit, best-value technologies and trends – whether it involves consumerisation or not.”

Download a copy of the generation Z report fom our web site at: www.computacenter.com/news/GenerationZ/

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