How to Combat Digital Exclusion in the Workplace.

A recent survey conducted in Wales by ATM Network Link has revealed that nearly a quarter of adults feel digitally excluded in some form, particularly those in lower income households.

Despite this, other findings from the survey showed that confidence for completing everyday tasks digitally is generally high. 96% of respondents feel confident shopping online, 68% feel confident paying for car parking digitally, and 93% feel confident accessing government services online.

Tasks that are carried out frequently and have found their way into everyday life have been adopted successfully by most respondents, so it’s not a question of older generations being unable to use technology, but more that adoption may be slower with more complex digital services than with Gen Z users who spend a larger portion of their lives online.

As technology moves so quickly, it’s unsurprising many people feel left behind.

“It’s not just about age and affordability, there is no guarantee that having the right skills today will mean having the right skills tomorrow.”

With this in mind, over the past year, Link has funded a digital inclusion pilot in South Wales with the aim of improving digital capabilities within the local population. The intention is to assist local residents with digital opportunities for friendship, shopping, work, money management, health, education and communication.

Adrian Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive at Link, said: “Digital inclusion matters. It affects career progression, social interactions and mental wellbeing, as well as productivity and economic prosperity.”

He continued, “However, given the relentless speed of technological development, no matter what we do, digital exclusion will continue to exist. It’s not just about age and affordability, there is no guarantee that having the right skills today will mean having the right skills tomorrow. There is no single solution to addressing digital exclusion.”

Examples of digital divide between age groups can also be found in the workplace. With 50% of companies employing three or more generations, the Adaptavist Group conducted research earlier this year to explore the generational gap when it comes to digital literacy.

The study revealed that 53% of Gen Z employees envy the phone confidence of their older colleagues, while half of workers over 50 are annoyed by the lack of traditional tools and skills held by their younger coworkers. Furthermore, almost half of Gen Z believe older workers slow things down with outdated techniques and digital struggles.

With up to four generations in today’s workplace, organisations need to consider ways to tackle digital exclusion and generational divides.

What Can We Do to Tackle Digital Exclusion at Work?

Here are five strategies that could help combat feelings of digital exclusion and reduce generational divide in the workplace.

Tailored Training Programs

Invest in digital productivity training for your team that focuses on practical skills to optimise their usage of business-critical tools, such as email, navigating cloud-based tools, and understanding basic cyber security practices.

To ensure everyone is catered for, you can offer optional hands-on support, such as one-on-one mentoring, follow-up workshops, microlearning videos and digital helpdesks.

Implementing continuous learning opportunities allows employees to regularly work on their digital skills over time without pressure.

User-Friendly Technology Interfaces

Ensure the digital tools your team use each day are intuitive and user-friendly. Platforms should offer straightforward navigation and seamless integrations with dependent systems.

Peer Mentorship Programs

Create mentorship and knowledge sharing opportunities where tech-savvy employees can guide colleagues who need it through digital tools and systems. This not only builds confidence in using technology but also fosters connection in the workplace.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Provide flexible work options that incorporate digital skills training into remote working tools. Offering employees the ability to work from home can motivate them to engage with digital tools that support communication, project management, and virtual collaboration.

Ensure employees are provided with modern equipment and software they feel comfortable using, reducing the barriers to staying digitally connected.

Awareness and Supportive Culture

Promote a workplace culture where seeking help with digital tools is normalised and encouraged. This can reduce stigma, embarrassment or nervousness that less technically advanced workers may feel when faced with tech struggles.

Train managers to recognise the unique challenges that older or less digitally apt employees might face and ensure digital skill development is supported as part of career progression, without age bias.

These approaches aim to foster inclusion, ensure workers remain confident and productive in a digital work environment, and build a culture of learning across generations.

We offer a wide range of Digital Productivity Training courses at Resolution IT that can be tailored to suit all skill levels. Get in touch to learn more.