New research shows that less than a third (31 percent) of UK organisations are investing in replacing legacy technology, falling behind other European counterparts such as Germany (36 percent) and the Netherlands (44 percent). This comes at a time when outdated AV technology is increasingly damaging productivity in remote work, with 62 percent of UK respondents citing it as a challenge – up from 60 percent in 2024.
The new Trusted Connections 2025 research report, which surveyed 425 enterprise AV professionals working in the UK, Germany, Nordics, and the Netherlands, highlights an urgent need for UK businesses to modernise their technology and support employee wellbeing to overcome the productivity slump.
There was also some good news in the report for British businesses, with nearly half (41 percent) prioritising employee productivity in 2025, compared to a third of enterprises in Europe (36 percent). But despite ambitions to improve productivity, UK businesses are struggling with systemic challenges, including outdated technology and budget constraints.
Budget cuts are also intensifying the problem. More than half (55 percent) of UK enterprises surveyed said they’re operating with reduced funding in 2025, significantly higher than Germany, where only a third (31 percent) of respondents cited budget constraints as a challenge.
Beyond technology, a lack of focus on employee wellbeing is further compounding the UK’s productivity crisis. Just a quarter (26 percent) of UK businesses are prioritising employee wellbeing, falling behind the overall average of 29 percent, and significantly lower than countries like the Nordics (38 percent). This is despite evidence that happier, healthier employees are more engaged and productive.
Tom Martin, CEO of Kinly said: “The UK’s productivity crisis is no longer just a business problem – it’s a national economic emergency. While other major economies have recovered from post-pandemic workforce shrinkage, Britain is still struggling. Businesses are trying to boost productivity, but many are failing to address the root causes: outdated technology, budget constraints, and a lack of focus on employee wellbeing.”
He added: “The companies that invest in both modern technology and workplace wellbeing will be the ones that thrive in this new economy. Productivity isn’t just about working harder – it’s about working smarter, and right now, too many UK businesses are missing that opportunity.”
To find out more about the new Trusted Connections 2025 research and download an copy, visit the Kinly website here.
