Despite lingering clichés, IT teams are gaining recognition for their strategic importance
As workplace technology evolves, so do employee relationships with IT teams. According to the 2024 Sagiss IT Perceptions Survey, 63% of employees feel there is an unspoken expectation to try solving IT issues themselves before contacting their IT teams. The survey also revealed that 79% of employees default to fixing technical problems independently, further blurring the line between employee and IT roles.
The survey, conducted by Sagiss using the third-party platform Pollfish, polled 585 U.S. workers to understand modern attitudes toward IT teams. Respondents shared insights about the stereotypes of IT professionals that persist, the perceived importance of IT and their working relationships with IT professionals.
The findings show that while stereotypes about IT workers—such as being socially awkward or overly focused on technology—still linger, perceptions are becoming more positive. More than half of respondents (55%) said their views of IT professionals have improved in recent years, and nearly 90% recognized IT as essential or very important to their organization's success.
“The comedic ‘Have you tried restarting it?’ may still be the phrase people associate with IT, but the reality is far more complex,” said Travis Springer, president of Sagiss Managed IT Services. “Managed IT services clients know that IT professionals are integral to their company’s growth and success, blending technical knowledge with strategic insights. People should look beyond the clichés and recognize the human side of IT—the side that’s adaptive, essential, and constantly evolving to meet the demands of the modern workplace.”
Key Findings from the 2024 Sagiss IT Perceptions Survey
- Self-reliance on the rise: 63% of employees feel an expectation to troubleshoot IT issues themselves before reaching out, with 79% saying self-reliance is their default response to technical problems.
- Stereotypes persist, but they’re changing: 41% of respondents described IT workers as socially awkward, while 37% said IT professionals are always fixing things but never explaining how. Additionally, more than half of workers expect to hear “Have you tried restarting it?” when reaching out for support. However, 55% of respondents said their views of IT professionals have become more positive in recent years.
- IT’s strategic role is recognized: 86% of workers view IT as essential or very important to their organization, with 59% identifying data security as IT’s most critical contribution.
The findings point to the need for businesses to reconsider how they empower and collaborate with their IT teams. By fostering a culture that values IT’s strategic contributions, organizations can strengthen both internal relationships and operational success.
Visit the 2024 Sagiss IT Perceptions Survey for the complete survey results.
About Sagiss
As Dallas-Fort Worth's first managed service provider (MSP), Sagiss was founded in 1992 to give businesses a better way to handle IT planning, maintenance and support. With origins in the accounting world, Sagiss provides a unique perspective on the critical relationship between an organization's information technology and its bottom line. For three years in a row, Sagiss has been named to the MSPmentor® 200, an annual ranking of the world's most progressive MSPs. For more information visit https://www.sagiss.com.
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