Fixing the fractures: the price of a disconnected workplace
From siloed teams and app overload to disengaged employees and underutilised office space, this article explores how integrated solutions can restore cohesion, productivity and employee wellbeing
The emergence of hybrid models has introduced new challenges around workplace connectivity. Organisations are grappling with how to maintain seamless and engaging experiences for employees, and the repercussions of a disconnected workplace include diminished productivity, employee burnout, and elevated turnover rates.
The impact of a fragmented workplace extends beyond operational inefficiencies. P Poor communication and a proliferation of disparate applications – often referred to as ‘app sprawl’ – lead to scattered information, user frustration and significant financial costs.
A recent blog post by Modo Labs explores how workplace disconnection can hamper productivity and heighten the risk of misunderstandings and misaligned objectives.
Declining employee engagement
Disengagement among employees has reached concerning levels. Gallup data reveals that not engaged or actively disengaged employees account for approximately $1.9 trillion in lost productivity in the US alone. Notably, employee engagement dipped to 33 per cent in 2023, while actively disengaged employees rose to 16 per cent. Each percentage point shift in engagement represents around 1.6 million U.S. employees, underscoring the magnitude of this issue.
The initial signs of a disconnected workplace often manifest subtly but can escalate into significant disruptions such as:
- Poor collaboration – leads to siloed teams and missed opportunities.
- Unproductive meetings – consume valuable time and drain energy.
- Misaligned priorities – create confusion and frustration across departments, contributing to low morale.
Collectively, these factors drive disengagement, increase turnover and reduce overall productivity.
The hidden sources of friction
Departmental silos significantly contribute to inefficient workflows and employee disengagement. When teams operate in isolation, communication barriers emerge, goals become misaligned and there is a lack of transparency. This isolation leaves employees uninformed about broader organisational activities, leading to bottlenecks and confusion. The build-up of unintegrated workplace apps can exacerbate these issues, creating a chaotic digital environment that hampers productivity.
Supporting a hybrid workforce presents unique challenges in delivering a cohesive employee experience. Organisations often struggle to create an inclusive environment that caters equally to remote and in-office employees. This disconnect can leave remote employees feeling marginalised as in-person workers benefit from visibility bias, and this leads to unequal treatment and recognition. Addressing these issues requires intentional efforts to promote transparency, equitable practices, and a culture that values outcomes over physical presence.
Combatting underutilised spaces
The shift to hybrid work has also rendered many office spaces underutilised, with many desks and meeting rooms remaining empty on off-peak days. Optimising these spaces to support diverse work styles is crucial. Implementing solutions like workplace apps for desk bookings and real-time office usage insights can enhance collaboration and ensure that physical spaces are utilised effectively, aligning with the needs of a hybrid workforce.
The financial implications of a disconnected workplace are substantial. It can result in lost productivity as employees can spend up to 20 per cent of their time searching for information or tools. It can also result in turnover costs with employee replacement costs sitting between 50 per cent to 200 per cent of their annual salary. Investing in integrated communication and collaboration tools can mitigate these costs by enhancing engagement, reducing turnover, and improving productivity.
Confronting issues such as workplace silos, app sprawl, visibility bias, and underutilised office spaces is essential for building a cohesive and successful team. Implementing unified workplace solutions that seamlessly integrate tools and strategies can foster team cohesion and enhance the overall employee experience.
Read the full blog post here.
