Our working lives increasingly are run in the digital domain making it crucial to remember who supports businesses with day to day tasks, queries and agendas, something National IT Professionals Day helps to champion.
It is hard to imagine living in the world with no digital devices; advancements in technology have allowed anyone, anywhere to be connected, propelled business success as well as expanding industries.
Recognising your IT professionals
With the increase in business usage of technology, the challenges and volatile threats that are constantly being faced by IT professionals, it is important to recognise that they are keeping entire organisations safe.
A Lieberman software report worryingly found that 74% of IT professionals work at least some unpaid overtime each week and that 34% reported that they worked 15 hours extra per week. When they are making sure to stabilise and secure systems, fix faults and help to support colleagues 24/7, making sure to say a simple ‘Thank You’ goes a long way in providing these employees get the recognition they deserve, as well as helping to boost employee satisfaction.
According to a global survey of more than 12,000 workers at PWC found that employers don’t acknowledge IT professionals skill or efforts with under half (46%) saying that their company does not value employees who are technologically savvy.
HR challenges for IT professionals
With the introduction of all new technology it is crucial to keep the safeguarding of the business, employees and customers front of mind. There is a raft of legislation which informs HR policies, ensuring that everyone is protected, including:
- Computer Misuse Act 1900
- General Data Protection Regulation 2018
- Freedom of Information Act 2002
- Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
- Telecommunications Regulation 2000
- Consumer protection Act 1987
Companies need to keep up to date and adopt new strategies in relation to both legislation and ensure they stay on the right side of the law, something that IT professionals are increasingly important to implementing.
Looking to the futureÂ
As technology is ever-changing, it is important for businesses to keep up to date with any potential disruption it could cause, but also prepare strategies to positively implement future technologies.
Key Technologies of the future as suggested by Forbes include:
- Practical Augmented Reality
- Real-Time Language Translation
- Artificial Intelligence In Mobile Apps
- Inexpensive, Fast Storage
- Deep Learning-Based Predictive Analytics
- AI And Machine Learning Applications
So it’s more important than ever to not only retain your IT professionals but also to attract the best talent to give your business a competitive edge.
If you would like more information on recognition programmes or any other HR strategy, get in touch with one of our Employment Law Consultants on 0161 603 2156 to see how we can assist.
