47. Helping Tech-Resistant Employees Adapt
How to get your team comfortable with new workplace technology.
Imagine this - Your business introduces a new software system to improve efficiency, but certain employees continue using outdated methods, avoid logging in, or make frequent excuses for not using it. Despite training and support, they -
Slow down workflows by relying on manual processes.
Avoid digital tools, forcing others to step in and handle tech-related tasks.
Struggle with remote work or digital collaboration.
Cause frustration among tech-savvy colleagues who must compensate for their avoidance.
Tech avoidance occurs when employees resist, fear, or fail to engage with workplace technology. While some struggle with learning new systems, others actively refuse to adapt, leading to productivity losses, team inefficiencies, and missed opportunities for business growth.
HR psychology tells us that technology resistance often stems from fear of failure, lack of confidence, or discomfort with change. If businesses fail to address tech avoidance, workplace inefficiencies persist, innovation stalls, and employees become disengaged.
The challenge? How do you help employees overcome tech resistance and confidently use the digital tools required for success?
The Solution – A Three-Part Approach - Identify, Support, and Reinforce
Effectively managing tech avoidance requires understanding employee fears, providing tailored training, and fostering a supportive tech-friendly culture. Here’s how to ensure employees embrace technology with confidence.
1. Identify Why Employees Avoid Technology
Before offering solutions, determine what’s causing tech resistance.
A. Recognise Common Signs of Tech Avoidance
Delaying or avoiding tasks that require technology.
Relying on others to complete digital tasks.
Frequent complaints about new systems being “too complicated.”
Making errors when using tech due to lack of confidence.
Red Flag - If tech avoidance is common across multiple employees, it may signal a workplace-wide training or cultural issue.
B. Understand the Root Causes
Tech avoidance often stems from -
Fear of failure – Worrying about making mistakes or looking incompetent.
Lack of training – Feeling overwhelmed due to insufficient guidance.
Discomfort with change – Preferring familiar methods over digital transformation.
Generational differences – Some employees may have had less exposure to technology in previous roles.
Workplace culture – If leadership doesn’t prioritise digital skills, employees won’t either.
HR Psychology Insight - Employees who lack confidence in their tech skills may prefer to hide their struggles rather than ask for help.
2. Support Employees in Overcoming Tech Avoidance
Once the cause is identified, provide structured support to build digital confidence.
A. Offer Hands-On, Personalised Training
Standard group training may not be effective for employees with tech resistance. Instead -
Provide one-on-one coaching for struggling employees.
Use interactive, real-world scenarios instead of theoretical lessons.
Allow employees to practice using tech tools in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
HR Best Practice - “Tech mentors”—pairing experienced tech users with hesitant employees—increase learning retention and confidence.
B. Break Down Learning into Small, Manageable Steps
Tech-averse employees feel overwhelmed by too much information at once. To ease learning -
Teach in stages—start with basic functions, then gradually introduce advanced features.
Encourage small wins by celebrating progress (e.g., successfully completing a task digitally).
Provide cheat sheets, step-by-step guides, or video tutorials for reference.
Red Flag - If employees keep saying they’ll “learn it later”, they may be avoiding digital adoption altogether.
C. Show the Practical Benefits of Technology
Many employees resist technology because they don’t see its value. Demonstrate how it
Makes their job easier, not harder.
Reduces time spent on repetitive tasks.
Improves efficiency and minimises errors.
HR Psychology Insight - Employees are more likely to embrace technology when they understand how it benefits them personally.
3. Reinforce Long-Term Digital Confidence and Engagement
Once employees begin using technology, support and motivation must continue to ensure long-term adoption.
A. Foster a Culture That Encourages Tech Learning
To prevent future resistance, create an environment where -
Continuous learning is expected and encouraged.
Asking tech-related questions is normalised, not embarrassing.
Leadership openly supports and uses digital tools themselves.
Red Flag - If leadership avoids or complains about technology, employees will follow their example and resist change.
B. Implement a Digital Skills Development Program
Make tech competency a core part of employee development by -
Incorporating digital skills training into onboarding.
Providing optional upskilling courses on tech tools.
Setting clear expectations that tech proficiency is a job requirement.
HR Best Practice - Companies that invest in digital skills training experience higher productivity and fewer tech-related disruptions.
C. Recognise and Reward Employees Who Improve Tech Skills
Employees who feel acknowledged for tech learning are more likely to continue improving. Consider -
Recognising progress in team meetings.
Offering incentives for employees who complete digital training programs.
Encouraging peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing.
HR Psychology Insight - Positive reinforcement motivates hesitant employees to engage with technology rather than fear it.
Reflective Scenario – What Would You Do?
You introduce a new project management system, but one of your long-time employees continues using spreadsheets and handwritten notes, causing delays and inefficiencies. They insist the new system is “too complicated” and keep asking others to input data for them.
Using the strategies above, you might -
Have a private conversation to understand their concerns.
Offer hands-on training in small, manageable steps.
Pair them with a tech-savvy colleague for mentorship.
Highlight how the system simplifies their work rather than making it harder.
Monitor progress and provide positive reinforcement for improvements.
By supporting their learning process rather than enforcing compliance through pressure, you increase digital adoption while maintaining a positive workplace culture.
Golden Nugget - "Technology should empower employees, not intimidate them. The key to digital adoption is patience, training, and showing the real-world benefits."
By identifying resistance, providing structured support, and reinforcing a tech-positive culture, SME leaders can ensure their workforce confidently embraces digital transformation and remains competitive in a technology-driven world.