Generational gaps can sometimes lead to extra work even when we're talking about colleagues. According to a survey of 1,000 Americans by software development company OSlash, while most computer and software issues can be resolved with a Google search, some still ask a younger coworker for help instead.
As a result, they end up helping again and again even when it's not in their job description or pay grade. And they're tired of doubling as tech support. The survey found that Gen Z spends an average of 8 hours per week helping older coworkers with tech, which equates to over $11,000 a year of wasted employer pay.
What's more, a quarter of Gen Z said it prevents them from getting their own work done. That's why they're so fed up with it. Plus, they reported that older coworkers hold up a quarter of their daily meetings with their tech issues, too.
Part of the problem is that not everyone is as tech-savvy as they claim to be when they apply for a position, OSlash found. 86 percent of American employees admitted to lying about their tech skills before being hired, most often about proficiency in database management, graphic design, and accounting software.
One in five respondents even admitted to not knowing how to use Zoom before getting hired at their most recent company. Gen X and boomers were the most likely to lie about this. Additionally, over a quarter (27%) of boomers said they knew how to share their screen during a Zoom meeting, but didn’t.
Those who often needed assistance with tech said their main pain points were hardware issues, software malfunctions, and trouble with office tools like printers and scanners.
But then there's also social media. Most modern companies rely heavily on it—another area older workers may be less familiar with. Some of OSlash’s respondents reported spending over five hours per week helping others with social media issues.
While baby boomers continue to trail both Gen Xers and Millennials on most measures of technology adoption, technology adoption rates for this group have been growing rapidly in recent years. For example, boomers are now far more likely to own a smartphone than they were in 2011 (68% now vs. 25% then).
So even though Liv has had to deal with them, at least these folks are trying to get out of their comfort zone and adapt to the ever-changing world.