Nearly a third of workers think their company is “stuck in the past” when it comes to technology, with some using outdated operating systems – or even getting by without Wi-Fi.
A poll of 2,000 adults in employment found many businesses have been slow to embrace new tech, and still depend on manual filing systems, business cards and landline phones.
A culture of printing everything out is commonplace in 15% of businesses, as is using Post-Its for reminders (17%), and having bulky CRT monitors rather than flat screens (4%).
But rather than being a minor inconvenience, 71% of those who think their employer is stuck in the past admitted it has made them consider their future at the company.
However, nearly a third (32%) tend to struggle to get to grips with new technology when it’s introduced.
Gregg Pearce, director of SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) at Virgin Media O2, which commissioned the survey to mark the launch of hyperfast gigabit-speed fibre broadband for small businesses, said: “Whether it’s legacy laptops or slow dial-up, our research shows how too many UK businesses are being held back by outdated tech.
“Being behind the times with tech doesn’t just impact the way businesses serve their customers – old-fashioned work practices are also impacting staff morale, and making people think twice about their future at a company.
“It’s time to bring UK businesses up to speed.”
The study also found 10% of workers still submit their holiday requests on paper, while 13% claim their work computer is creakingly slow.
Other archaic business practices include old-school computer mice with balls (11%), while 4% even said they’re still on dial-up internet.
But nearly one in four (23%) claimed their workplace has tried to embrace modern technology – only to go back to the old ways.
Of those, 45% decided their business is still too small to warrant the investment, and 28% felt they weren’t business-critical, according to the OnePoll figures.
However, 71% believe their workplace would be held back if they had a slow and unreliable internet connection.
And 82% said quick, reliable internet is the single most important tool available to their businesses.
Gregg Pearce added: “A fast, reliable, flexible internet connection has become a must-have for small businesses, especially after the past two years.
“Whether it’s a side hustle on social media, video calls from the office, sole traders selling online, or guest Wi-Fi on the high street – broadband opens doors to better business.”
TOP 30 OLD-FASHIONED BUSINESS PRACTICES:
- Has a hole punch
- Instant coffee instead of a coffee machine
- Uses Post-It note reminders
- Prints everything out
- Keeps physical records for all paperwork
- Has a manual filing system
- Old and slow laptops/desktop computers
- Still uses business cards
- Uses a holiday wall chart
- Staples receipts together
- Uses a mouse with a ball in it
- Holiday requests have to be submitted on paper
- Doesn't use social media effectively
- Still uses stamps instead of a franking machine
- Landline phones only
- No dedicated videoconferencing facilities
- Uses a dated operating system
- Printers are decrepit and don't work properly
- Expense reports have to be submitted on paper
- Uses corrective fluid e.g. Tipp-Ex
- Localised intranet is old – slow, dated, doesn’t work very well
- Has a slow or dated website
- Lack of Wi-Fi
- Uses memos
- Uses fax machines
- Has not embraced smartphones
- Doesn't have a website
- Uses CRT monitors rather than flat screen monitors
- Work needs a binding machine to be put together
- Uses dial-up internet
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