Tech Shame in the Workplace: Why Gen Z and Millennials Aren’t as Digitally Confident as You Think

Tech shame in the workplace is on the rise and surprisingly, it’s not your older staff that are struggling. It’s the younger generations.

Wait, what?!

Yes, you read that right. Contrary to popular belief, Gen Z and Millennial employees, the so-called “digital natives” are often the ones feeling overwhelmed, judged, or even embarrassed when it comes to using everyday workplace tech.

If your first reaction is, “But they grew up with smartphones glued to their hands!” you’re not alone...This assumption is widespread… and it's increasingly unhelpful.

In this post, we’ll explore what tech shame in the workplace really is, why your younger employees might be secretly struggling, and what you can do to support your team and boost digital confidence across the board.

What Is Tech Shame?

Tech shame is the feeling of embarrassment, frustration, or anxiety that arises when someone struggles with technology and especially in front of others. It's that sinking sensation when you can't figure out how to share your screen during a meeting, or when you're the only one who doesn't know how to use the new CRM software.

Now imagine that happening to your newest, youngest team member, someone who’s just joined the workforce and is eager to prove themselves. If they hesitate to ask for help, they might fall behind, lose confidence, and even disengage from their work entirely.

The irony? They probably grew up mastering TikTok trends and Minecraft servers, but these skills don’t always translate to Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Slack, or finance systems.

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The Surprising Reality: Digital Natives, Workplace Newbies

There’s a massive difference between being comfortable with consumer tech and being confident with professional tech.

Gen Z and Millennials have had technology in their lives from day one, but mostly in the form of:

• Social media apps (Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok)
• Streaming platforms
• Mobile-first user interfaces
• Voice commands (think Alexa and Siri)
• Gaming and entertainment environments

These platforms are intuitive, fun, and designed for user satisfaction. But professional tools? Not so much.

Workplace software can be clunky, jargon-heavy, and unintuitive. CRM systems, project management platforms, data entry apps, and security protocols don’t come with filters and trending sounds.

As a result, many young professionals are hitting a digital brick wall, and they’re too embarrassed to say anything.

The Data Behind Tech Shame in the Workplace

A recent UK study highlighted a clear generational divide:

• 1 in 5 employees aged 18–29 reported feeling judged or embarrassed when facing technical issues at work.
• By contrast, only 1 in 25 employees aged 40+ felt the same way.

That’s a striking difference.

It suggests that older employees may feel more confident asking for help, or simply less bothered about not knowing something. Meanwhile, younger employees, who are expected to be tech whizzes, feel self-conscious when they don’t live up to the label.

This “digital imposter syndrome” is real. And it’s costing businesses in lost productivity, low morale, and missed opportunities for growth.

Pandemic Onboarding Didn’t Help

Let’s not forget that a huge portion of Gen Z entered the workforce during the pandemic. Their first jobs were remote or hybrid, meaning:

• No in-person onboarding
• No opportunity to shadow senior staff
• Less informal learning through office culture

They were thrown into Slack channels and Zoom meetings with limited support, and they’ve been playing catch-up ever since.

So while they may look like they’re coping, many young professionals are just hoping no one notices they’re struggling with file sharing, digital meeting etiquette, or the endless world of Microsoft 365.

Why Tech Shame Is Bad for Business

Tech shame in the workplace isn’t just a “nice to fix” issue. It has real consequences for your team and your bottom line.

Here’s how it affects business:

1. 🚫 Reduced Productivity

When people don’t know how to use tools efficiently, they waste time. A lot of time. That means:

• Slower project completion
• More errors
• Missed deadlines
• Extra work for others

2. 🧠 Lower Confidence

Employees who feel judged are less likely to speak up, ask questions, or take initiative. This kills innovation and teamwork.

3. 💻 Poor Digital Adoption

If your shiny new software isn’t being used properly, it’s just money down the drain. Poor uptake usually reflects a training gap, not a tool issue.

4. 📉 Higher Staff Turnover

Nobody likes to feel like they’re failing. If your younger employees are silently suffering, they may quietly look elsewhere for a more supportive work environment.

How to Tackle Tech Shame and Build Digital Confidence

The good news? You can fix this. Here’s how to address tech shame and create a digital culture where everyone, from interns to execs - feels empowered.

✅ 1. Offer Inclusive Tech Training (Not Just for Boomers!)

Don’t assume younger employees don’t need training just because they’re “digital natives.” Make digital literacy a teamwide priority.

Offer training sessions on:

• Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, Excel, SharePoint, Outlook)
• Internal communication platforms
• CRM and ticketing systems
• Cybersecurity best practices
• Productivity tools and file management

Keep sessions short, friendly, and jargon-free. And yes — make them optional to attend more than once. Everyone learns differently.

✅ 2. Normalize Asking Questions

Encourage a culture of curiosity. Make it clear that no question is too small or too “silly”. Leadership should model this behaviour by admitting when they don’t know something and showing how they find the answer.

Bonus tip: Create a Slack or Teams channel called “Tech Tips & Troubleshooting” where anyone can ask for help, no judgment allowed.

✅ 3. Assign Digital Buddies

Pair less experienced staff with tech-savvy colleagues for informal support. Think of it like a gym buddy but for Teams and Outlook instead of burpees.

Digital buddies can:

• Answer quick questions
• Share time-saving hacks
• Recommend tools or extensions
• Help troubleshoot without judgment

This is especially useful in hybrid or remote teams.

✅ 4. Do Regular Check-Ins

You can’t fix what you don’t know. Regularly check in with your team, especially newer or remote staff, to see how they’re coping with tech.

Ask questions like:

• “Are there any tools or systems you’re finding tricky?”
• “Is there anything you’d like more training on?”
• “Do you have everything you need to work comfortably?”

Sometimes, people just need permission to speak up.

✅ 5. Make Sure Everyone Has the Right Kit

Your team’s confidence is often limited by their tools. Make sure everyone has:

• Reliable hardware (laptops, headsets, webcams)
• Access to the right apps and platforms
• Adequate internet and IT support

Remote workers may be reluctant to ask for better kit, especially younger employees who don’t want to appear “needy.” Don’t make them ask. Offer proactively.

The Bottom Line: Digital Support Is for Everyone

The next time you hear someone say “young people are great with tech,” give them a gentle nudge. Sure, Gen Z can edit videos on their phones and keep up with memes ...but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to navigate your business systems on day one.

Tech shame in the workplace is real. But it’s also avoidable.

With the right training, open communication, and a little empathy, you can build a team that’s confident, connected, and digitally capable — no matter their age.

Need Help Supporting Your Team?

Whether you're:

• Rolling out new digital tools
• Struggling with low adoption of existing platforms
• Worried your team is suffering in silence

We can help.

From friendly digital training and onboarding support to sourcing the right hardware and software for hybrid teams, we’ll make sure everyone in your business feels supported — no matter how tech-savvy (or not) they think they are.

Get in touch today and let’s ditch the shame, boost confidence, and embrace digital growth — together.

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