Hybrid workers are calling on their employers to improve the lack of reliable mobile connectivity in the office, as seven in ten (70%) are affected.

According to a new survey from Cellnex UK, the issue has forced the majority of employees to leave their office building simply to make a phone call (60%), with reports of decreased productivity (74%) and increased stress levels (72%) as a result.

While areas in the UK have access to strong mobile signals in homes and local communities, these latest findings indicate that buildings are proving a barrier to workers receiving this service in the office.

Many hybrid workers are looking to their organisations to address this, with nearly two thirds of those surveyed (61%) calling on their employers to increase investment in office mobile connectivity.

The survey of 2,000 UK hybrid workers reveal that slow internet speeds (40%), weak mobile network signal (39%) and dealing with areas in the office which have poor or no mobile coverage (36%) are the top connectivity issues faced.

In fact, over a quarter (27%) of those experiencing connectivity issues experience this on average two or three days per week.

With many of today’s office buildings consisting of thick concrete or stone walls, brick and steel structures and an increased use of metallised-glass, over half (55%) of those surveyed report that their mobile connection is better at home than the office.

According to the findings, the top three problem areas at work with weaker mobile signal include office stairwells, meeting rooms and communal spaces such as kitchens or break rooms.

“These findings emphasise that many office buildings across the country are not yet fit for purpose when it comes to facilitating the needs of a modern workforce and we must ensure that our infrastructure is suitably upgraded to meet demand,” Edmund Wilkinson, head of sales for in-building solutions from Cellnex UK said.

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“In today’s increasingly digital world, reliable mobile connectivity is essential for productivity and employee wellbeing.

“By addressing these issues businesses can expect to not only increase productivity, but also create a more collaborative and less stressful work environment for their employees.”

The majority of those surveyed (86%) also stated that they believe reliable mobile connectivity plays an important role in job performance. Poor mobile connectivity would also deter 68% of hybrid workers surveyed from coming into the office, and 40% stated that they have considered going so far as changing jobs due to persistent mobile connectivity issues.