Companies have invested heavily in workplace technology, but many employees still struggle with fragmented information, disconnected tools, and weak digital workplace cultures. New research from Unily and Gallup found that only 20% of U.S. employees have both the technology and workplace culture needed for a strong digital workplace experience.
The study measures digital workplace experience (DWX) across two areas: digital enablement, which covers access to reliable tools and information, and digital culture, which looks at whether technology helps employees feel informed, connected, and supported.
While 49% of employees report strong digital enablement, only 34% say their digital workplace culture is strong. Another 36% lack both.
Strong Digital Workplaces Have Higher Engagement and Less Burnout
Employees with strong digital workplace experiences report significantly better workplace outcomes. Their engagement rate is 46%, compared with 15% among employees with poor digital experiences. They are also more likely to recommend their employers, at 44% compared with 8%, and less likely to experience frequent burnout, at 11% compared with 38%.
The research suggests digital culture plays an important role. Employees with strong digital culture but weak digital enablement are more than twice as likely to be engaged as those with strong digital enablement but weak culture, at 38% versus 17%.
Fragmented Information Makes Employees Switch Between Tools
Access to workplace information also affects how easily employees can get work done. Among workers who say their information is stored in one place, 33% frequently switch between tools to complete tasks. That figure rises to 62% when information is spread across a few locations and 78% when it is scattered across many.
Larger organizations face additional challenges. The share of employees reporting a strong digital workplace experience falls from 22% at companies with fewer than 500 employees to 15% at organizations with 10,000 or more.
Poor Digital Experiences Could Undermine AI Readiness
The quality of employees’ digital workplace experience also appears connected to their trust in AI. Among employees who use AI, 47% of those with strong digital workplace experiences trust the information it provides somewhat or a great deal, compared with 26% of those with poor experiences.
Yet 72% of employees said they had not participated in employer-provided AI training or learning activities in the previous six months.
The findings suggest companies face challenges beyond introducing new technology. Employees also need reliable information, connected systems, and workplace cultures that support communication and engagement if organizations expect them to use AI effectively.
