Inclusively, a leading technology platform providing companies with a universal approach to supporting employee needs around workplace benefits, resources, and accommodations, has released findings from its Hidden Cost of Workplace Complexity Report. This report reveals critical challenges employees face when accessing support to be productive in their job.
Organizations invest millions in benefits that remain underutilized. The current process for requesting accommodations is fragmented and misaligned with employee needs, directly undermining productivity and job satisfaction. When employees must divert valuable time to navigate support systems, their focus shifts away from growth and development—ultimately compromising innovation and competitive advantage.
The data tells a compelling story. Even among the 48% of respondents who report easy access to company offerings, more than half state that 50% or less of what they find addresses their actual needs. Only 11% say that available resources align with what they need.
More than two-thirds say they spend up to 30 minutes to multiple days trying to find and access resources and benefits. Nearly half (49%) go directly to HR, and another 39% to a manager for help, instead of using technology or systems to get answers, taking time away from critical daily responsibilities.
More than one-third believe system complexity directly hinders the adoption of new technologies like AI. Over half (64%) of employees are more likely to stay in their job if their resources are met, underscoring the link between benefit accessibility and retention.
The report encourages HR leaders to confront an uncomfortable truth: despite good intentions, the current approach to resource and benefits delivery is failing. But within this challenge lies an opportunity to transform the employee experience and unlock the full potential of workplace resources.
“These findings highlight a critical but often overlooked aspect of workplace effectiveness and personalized employee experience,” says Charlotte Dales, CEO of Inclusively. “When employees struggle to access the very resources designed to support them, it creates a ripple effect that impacts everything from day-to-day productivity to long-term innovation and retention. Our research shows that streamlining resource access directly influences talent retention, productivity, and a company’s capacity for innovation.”
