IKT Industry: 35 percent compromise on quality to meet workload

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Work intensification and overload in the IT and Communications Industry (IKT) are increasingly prevalent, according to a survey by the Verdi trade union. The survey indicates that work pressure and time constraints are a daily reality for a slim majority of respondents (53.3 percent). 48 percent reported being pressured to achieve more in the same amount of time to a high or very high degree. 31 percent experienced this to a lesser extent, and only 21 percent not at all. Around 55 percent also expect further increases in work performance demands.

Verdi highlighted as particularly concerning that around 35 percent of respondents feel strongly compelled to compromise on work quality to meet their workload. Furthermore, 31.5 percent do not expect to be able to sustain their current demands until retirement age.

Too much at once and too few people

The most frequent reason for work stress, cited by two-thirds of respondents, is that too many projects and processes are running simultaneously. This is followed by unplanned additional tasks (49.1 percent), insufficient staffing levels (47.3 percent), inadequate internal processes (45.4 percent), and overly tight deadlines (34.1 percent). Around two-thirds (64.6 percent) also experienced rising demands on knowledge and skills due to digital transformation. However, 70 percent felt sufficiently qualified for current tasks and almost 62 percent for future tasks.

"Organizational changes and digital transformation, including AI, cause concerns and increase demands on employees," commented Florian Haggenmiller, Verdi's federal sector manager for IKT, on the results. Consequently, more than a third of respondents (37.7 percent) were worried about their professional future. On the other hand, 62.3 percent rarely or never had such concerns.

Industry in transition, but solidarity is strong

Over 81.7 percent experienced their industry as being in transition and stated that organizational changes such as restructurings or outsourcing occur frequently in their companies. 63 percent were personally affected by this, and another quarter expect to be affected in the future. Almost 71 percent of respondents currently see no or only limited opportunities for advancement.

Despite all this, according to Verdi, respondents showed themselves to be motivated and convinced of their jobs. Around 77 percent identified with their profession to a high or very high degree. And almost as many also said that they felt they were making an important contribution to their company. Solidarity among colleagues also appears to be strong: Over 88 percent reported receiving collegial support to a high and very high degree.

Good scope for design

Employees also rated resources and scope for shaping working conditions very positively. Managers are also often perceived as supportive. Around three-quarters of respondents stated that they could align their working hours and location with personal needs. Opportunities such as mobile work and working time reduction were helpful in this regard.

According to Verdi, 13.437 employees participated, with 65 percent from the telecommunications sector, 33 percent from the IT sector, and approximately 2 percent from the games sector.

(axk)