One Comment on What IT employees want and aren’t getting

R. B. on Wed, 24th Sep 2008 12:11 pm


I had to chuckle a little when I read this because, in my experience, so much of what the IT guy / gal wants that he / she can’t have is: 1. control, and 2. bigger and better toys! Training and development is on the list too, because they “typically” want to keep up on the latest and greatest technology advancements, which is good for the organization as a whole. But it seems to me the biggest reason IT people aren’t happy is because they aren’t given full control over areas they think they should have control over (how the ERP system is used in all areas, giving other people access to certain functions they want to “protect” regardless of whether or not that person needs access to do their job – which leads to bad relationships with co-workers, and those types of things, etc.). They also tend to get frustrated when their budget is cut or they don’t receive approval for every purchase of new goody they want. Being a technology freak myself, I can sympathize, because I would like to always have the newest, biggest, best – whatever – out there too. But I do know it isn’t always possible or even the best thing for the organization overall. When requests for such a purchase is turned down, I’ve heard countless IT people complain about how they need “clarity about what the company needs from IT” more times than I can count. Which is why I chuckled.

I realize there are about a billion perspectives to what I said. So let me clarify: I do believe an organization has to keep up in the technology arena and fully understand why a professional would be disengaged or leave if the company isn’t willing to make that investment. I do understand the desire to have the newest technology because I want it too! Data does need to be safeguarded and access needs to be given carefully and thoughtfully. So I’m not trying to be disrespectful to IT people (I used to be one!). But every business expense has to be justified, be it for training or a new infrastructure. Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want and we have to learn how to deal with it and be happy, productive, professional people in spite of the roadblocks. I guarantee you, the grass isn’t always greener. Every company has its problems!

I would be interested to know how IT employee’s engagement % compares to the overall general employee population. How many workers overall are “fully engaged” in their work? And how many employees overall trust senior management? Is IT all that different?