On the verge of a burnout crisis, can tech companies still afford terrible work culture?

Impossible demands and meager resources – seven in ten IT workers say they are devastated by insane workloads and a lack of backing.

Nearly one in five organizations say they have entry-level positions vacant and unfilled. However, despite the constant need for IT workforce, companies struggle to take care of their IT staff.

New research by the professional association ISACA reveals that almost three-quarters (73%) of European IT professionals have experienced work-related stress or burnout.

Sixty-one percent of IT professionals in Europe attribute work stress to heavy workloads, tight deadlines, lack of resources, and long hours as the main contributing factors.

“Nearly half of European IT professionals found that difficult management was impacting their well-being,” Chris Dimitriadis, ISACA's Chief Global Strategy Officer, told Cybernews.

The experts also see a wider skill gap, which results in more workload falling on the shoulders of existing staff.

Constant learning is a key

According to Dimitriadis, as long as the skills gap remains, education programs and apprenticeships for IT professionals will be vital.

“Thankfully, we’re already making great progress, and there are a whole host of government schemes as well as external certifications already in play,” said Dimitriadis.

He points to the UK government's new Skills England body, set to launch this year. This body aims to tackle digital skills gaps across the country by providing recommendations on training initiatives.

Job-seeking professionals can take many qualifications and certificates to address the constantly evolving demand for tech skills. “We must go further, and organizations must prioritize providing ongoing education and skills for staff,” highlights Dimitriadis

“If not, businesses will find themselves falling behind as they struggle to grapple with new developments in the space, exposing themselves to new threats – whilst staff retention will become an increasingly difficult challenge to solve.

A quarter of IT professionals (24%) lack mentorship or guidance when entering the sector, despite over three-quarters feeling that good mentors or role models are important to them.

“Younger IT professionals are switching jobs at a much higher rate, highlighting the need for better retention strategies, including clear career growth pathways and a focus on work-life balance. A balanced, well-supported workforce is key to sustaining the industry’s growth and innovation,” says Dimitriadis.

Solving the life-work balance equation

Dimitriadis highlights that to tackle work-life balance issues at work, businesses must ensure that they provide their employees with the tools and skills they need to do their jobs effectively. Also, it’s important to invest in the professional development of staff.

“The benefits are twofold – investment in career development will happen at work rather than outside it, and employees will also be equipped to deal with challenges, thereby reducing stress and contributing to a more effective workforce.”

Businesses can address this issue by fostering a supportive culture and making it a core part of their strategy. A simple solution is to promote remote work, as many IT roles allow for flexibility. Providing the necessary tools and resources can help ensure a better work-life balance.

Dimitriadis sees that the issue runs deeper than just poor work culture. According to him, a narrow approach is at the root of the issue as it limits businesses' access to talent.

“Essentially, businesses are too laser-focused on degree and qualifications-based hiring which is drastically limiting the pool of candidates they deem available and suitable for these roles,” he explains.

The hiring strategy should focus on transferrable skills and an openness to learning – all of which are essential to building a workforce that is future-ready and tackles the skills gap.

The research also shows some positive tendencies. European IT professionals recognize the benefit of qualifications in furthering their development – 90% have participated in certifications to advance their careers, and almost three-quarters (74%) said that their employer provides or pays for certifications as part of their career development.