Generation Gap: Millennials Play Larger Role in Enterprises’ Tech Use

In the modern age of bring your own device (BYOD) and an overall more tech-sophisticated employee, it’s common for professionals to recommend tech solutions at work. Apparently, though, a certain segment of staffers—specifically Millennials—feel more empowered to do so, according to a recent survey from CompTIA. The resulting report, titled “Managing the Multigenerational Workforce,” reveals that all generations consider an organization’s use of tech in deciding where to work. However, Millennials are far more likely to consider their employers as “upper tier” or “cutting edge” in terms of tech-savvy. More than 1,000 employees took part in the research. The following slide show presents survey highlights, with charts provided courtesy of CompTIA.

More than seven of 10 Millennial survey respondents said the degree to which an organization embraces technology and innovation plays a factor in deciding where they work. Two-thirds of Gen Xers and 53 percent of Baby Boomers consider this as well.

CompTIA reports that 56 percent of Millennials describe their organization as either “upper tier” or “cutting edge” in terms of tech deployment. In contrast, just 38 percent of Boomers and 43 percent of Gen Xers agree with this assessment.

Two-thirds of Millennials consider themselves as either “upper tier” or “cutting edge” in terms of tech usage. But only 37 percent of Boomers and 54 percent of Gen Xers do.

Among Millennials, 56 percent said they have either a “moderate” or “great deal” of opportunity to suggest tech solutions at work. Only 41 percent of Boomers and 47 percent of Gen Xers said they have the same opportunity.

Millennials are most likely to worry about automation, as 52 percent said they are “somewhat concerned” that this technology could result in “fewer jobs for people like me.” In contrast, just 37 percent of Boomers agree with this, although 48 percent of Gen Xers do.

When asked to address a stigma that older workers are less skilled at using technology, Gen Xers are most likely to agree that the impression is true, as cited by 47 percent. Only 37 percent of Boomers agree, although 44 percent of Millennials do.

Among survey respondents overall, 47 percent feel that the prospect of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions doing “boring, repetitive work” presents potentially more positive outcomes than negative. The same percentage feel the same way about virtual assistants.

In the era of rapid advancements in technology, it seems ironic that old-fashioned, computer-based word processing tools still remain the top apps in the workplace, as cited by about seven of 10 respondents overall. Social media management tools, in contrast, rank last, used by no more than 13 percent of respondents.