Companies that want effective, efficient facility and maintenance teams need to ensure they have systems in place to help avoid burnout and retain talent. Employees who feel overworked and underappreciated perform poorly. And if they leave, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to replace them. Our proprietary research reveals that large companies are embracing mobile maintenance apps, a positive trend that will help improve job satisfaction and productivity.
Eptura’s H1 2024 Workplace Index draws on independent research on enterprise companies across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, with insights from C-level, vice-president, and country-head leaders across departments, and includes anonymous user data from more than 5,000 companies, including 19,000 buildings, 95.5 million desk bookings, and 25 million room bookings.
Why do enterprise-level companies want mobile apps for technicians?
When asked about the technology they hoped to deliver in the next 12 months, companies’ responses differ according to their stage of digital transformation. For those in the first stage, single digital, which is that initial jump from manual methods to digital solutions, “Mobile apps for technicians” was the most popular answer, at 19%.
It’s easy to understand why companies are interested in implementing apps. They help facility and maintenance managers in many ways, including:
- Real-time task management
- Improved communication
- Enhanced data accuracy
- Better inventory management
- Increased productivity
- Enhanced safety and compliance
- Training and skill development
- Data-driven decision-making
And they can also help companies avoid the problems that are the direct result of maintenance technician burnout.
What is maintenance tech burnout and why is avoiding it important?
As a general definition that crosses industries and covers all positions, burnout is the result of chronic unmanaged workplace stress. Common symptoms include feeling a lack of energy or exhaustion, an increased mental distance from the job, or even cynicism. Over time, companies see a reduced professional efficacy that can eventually significantly impact employee retention, as employees experiencing burnout may consider leaving their jobs to escape the constant stress and negativity.
Specific to maintenance techs, slow work is a common symptom of burnout. Exhausted employees may take longer to complete tasks, not due to a lack of skill, but because they are struggling mentally and physically. But the extra time it takes them does not guarantee employees they’re doing their work well.
In fact, a key issue related to burnout is a decline in cognitive performance, which causes poor attention to detail. Employees may struggle to focus on tasks, leading to oversights and errors. The result is a lower quality of work that then forces departments to use additional resources to go back and fix mistakes. And there can be serious repercussions beyond the need for rework, including financial losses, damaged client relationships, and even safety risks, depending on the nature of the work.
For example, a burned-out tech might miss a critical step when trying to do routine maintenance on the safety equipment at a manufacturing plant, including the emergency stop buttons on the machinery. A different tech, equally unable to focus, might fail to inspect and maintain a critical safety valve on a high-pressure chemical tank.
Avoiding maintenance technician burnout is especially important for larger, enterprise-level organizations
The larger the company, the more likely technician burnout can be a serious issue. Big companies simply have more assets, equipment, facilities, and technicians, multiplying the chances for problems.
In fact, larger companies tend to have a larger proportion of assets because asset-heavy industries often demand significant upfront capital investment for machinery, infrastructure, and technology. It’s only larger companies that are typically better equipped to absorb these high initial costs and secure the necessary financing.
Why is it becoming increasingly challenging to replace maintenance technicians?
A wide range of economic, social, and demographic factors are making it harder for companies to attract maintenance technicians, including:
- Skills gap: Many experienced technicians are retiring, and there aren’t enough new technicians to replace them, partly due to a decrease in interest in trade careers among younger generations
- Education and training: Maintenance roles often require specific technical skills and certifications, and the education and training programs for these skills can be intense and time-consuming, which may deter some potential candidates.
- Aging workforce: The maintenance workforce is aging, and as experienced technicians retire, it’s becoming harder to find replacements with the same level of skill and experience.
- Perception of the profession: There’s a persistent stigma around blue-collar jobs, including maintenance roles. Many people view these jobs as less prestigious or desirable than white-collar professions, which can discourage potential candidates.
- Competition: With the increasing complexity of equipment and technology, the demand for skilled maintenance technicians is high across many industries. This competition makes it harder for companies to attract and retain talent.
- Work conditions: Maintenance technicians often work in challenging conditions, including odd hours, physically demanding tasks, and sometimes hazardous environments. These conditions can make the roles less appealing.
- Lack of awareness: There’s often a lack of awareness about the career opportunities and growth potential in the maintenance field. This can lead to fewer people considering it as a career path.
Unfortunately, nearly all the items on the list are likely to worsen in the future. The average age of the Baby Boom generation, for example, is between 57 and 77. The growing adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in manufacturing will only increase the need for more specialized education and training in maintenance.
How can companies prevent burnout for maintenance techs?
Companies have a number of options they can implement to help avoid maintenance tech burnout. Many of them are the same steps companies can take for all employees, regardless of role, including:
- Flexible scheduling: Offer flexible scheduling options when possible. This can help employees balance their work and personal lives, reducing stress and burnout
- Regular breaks and time off: Encourage technicians to take their designated breaks and use their vacation time. Time away from work is crucial for recharging and maintaining mental health
- Training and development: Provide opportunities for professional growth and development. This can boost engagement and make employees feel more valued and motivated
- Recognition and rewards: Recognize and reward them for their hard work, which can boost morale and make them feel appreciated
- Culture of self-care: Encourage employees to prioritize their physical and mental health. This can include providing resources for stress management, promoting healthy habits, and fostering a supportive work environment
- Right tools and equipment: Ensure everyone has the tools and equipment they need to perform their jobs safely and efficiently, reducing frustration and making their jobs easier
- But there are also steps companies can take that are more specifically related to helping prevent burnout for maintenance technicians. For example:
- Streamline workflows: Implement a user-friendly system that allows technicians to manage work orders, track inventory, and access equipment history all in one place, which can significantly reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency
- Fair workload distribution: Ensure that work is evenly distributed among technicians to prevent some from feeling overwhelmed while others are underutilized. Regularly review and adjust workloads as needed
- Clear communication: Maintain open lines of communication. Regularly check in with technicians to discuss their workload, any challenges they’re facing, and how you can support them
- Regular process to review standard operating procedures: Regularly review work processes and procedures to identify areas of inefficiency or unnecessary stress. Adjust as needed to improve workflow and reduce burnout
Because every element of these two lists is directly or indirectly connected to implementing a mobile app for technicians, companies that want to avoid burnout and retain talent should implement an app.
How can implementing a mobile app for technicians help avoid burnout?
Maintenance technicians face numerous frustrations that can lead to burnout, from struggling with paper-based or single-function platforms that silo data to racing to keep up real-world problems without access to real-time data. A mobile app for technicians can help by streamlining processes, enhancing communication, and providing real-time access to critical information. It can help technicians work more efficiently, reduce stress, and avoid burnout.
Improved efficiency and productivity
Real-time access to work orders and schedules can significantly reduce the time maintenance technicians spend on administrative tasks. For instance, a maintenance technician can instantly access daily tasks and their priority levels on the mobile app, eliminating the need to visit the office to pick up paperwork or call the maintenance supervisor for updates.
Enhanced communication
Easy and quick communication with the team and managers is crucial for avoiding burnout. With a mobile app, a technician can send and receive instant messages, notifications, and alerts. If he encounters an issue while working on a piece of equipment, he can quickly message his supervisor for guidance or notify them of any delays, reducing stress and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Not everyone is good about typing out long messages about technical issues on a phone, so techs can take a quick series of pictures with their phone before uploading them directly to the work order, either to ask questions or request a remote visual inspection to confirm they did the work properly.
Better organization
Access to all necessary information in one place can greatly enhance organization. A tech can use the mobile app to instantly access a wide range of information about an asset, including:
- Location
- Maintenance and repair histories
- Associated parts and materials
- Original equipment manufacturer manuals
- Warranties
- Customizable inspection and tasks checklists
Instead of carrying around bulky manuals or searching for paperwork, they can quickly pull up the information he needs, reducing frustration and ensuring he has everything he needs to complete his tasks.
Accurate record keeping
Capturing and uploading photos, videos, or voice notes to document equipment condition and work progress can reduce paperwork and minimize data entry errors. A technician can take a photo of a malfunctioning part and upload it to the app, along with a brief description. This not only saves time but also provides a clear record for future reference, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or disputes.
And because they can input information into the central database, they’re no chance to introduce simple human error.
Offline capabilities
The ability to access and update information even without an Internet connection is crucial for maintenance technicians who often work in remote or poorly connected areas. So, a tech can use the mobile app to view and update work orders offline, and the app will automatically synchronize the data once they’re back online, ensuring that they can continue working without interruptions, reducing frustration and maintaining productivity.
Safety and compliance
Access to safety protocols and guidelines is essential for maintaining a safe work environment. A tech can use the mobile app to view safety protocols and complete electronic safety checklists and compliance forms, ensuring they follow all necessary procedures, reducing the risk of accidents and the stress associated with non-compliance.
Enterprise-level companies understand the value of mobile apps for technicians
As companies move toward a more connected workplace, implementing apps can help facility and maintenance departments strengthen communication and task management, improve data accuracy and inventory management, and boost overall productivity. They also support maintenance tech job satisfaction by removing common roadblocks, making data and support accessible from anywhere. The result is less tech burnout and stronger talent retention.
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By Erin Sevitz
Erin has 15 years of experience, including 10 years in thought leadership on workplace management and the built environment. In her current role she oversees teams responsible for worktech insights and engaging Eptura’s 16,000 customers worldwide. Previously she led communications for the International Facility Management Association, a global industry nonprofit dedicated to professional development for workplace strategists, building managers, and corporate real estate.
