IT Support: Why Every Team Member Matters
Your company has a diverse group of team members, each with their own role to play. There are full-timers, part-timers, interns, outsourcers, contractors, and subcontractors, all working hard for the success of the business.
As a business owner, you might think helping people who aren't full-time employees of your company with their IT needs is not worthwhile and is simply an additional cost. While at Kimbley IT, we can understand why you may have this point of view; this belief can be risky for your business.
It's crucial to understand the potential hazards that come with this mindset and take appropriate steps to safeguard your company.
What if an unsupported team member needs IT help?
"But! Sally is only a sub-contractor who only accesses our data on a Wednesday. Why do I need to pay for assistance and support?"
Let's imagine you've not got any assistance and support for Sally. What happens if Sally comes in on Wednesday to find out she has a situation where she cannot do any work because there is a problem with the IT or she needs some guidance? Who is going to help her?
You face an intriguing dilemma since you chose not to provide IT support for Sally. She can either choose not to work or attempt to fix the IT issue on her own. She may find a solution, but there is also a possibility that she may worsen the problem. Ultimately, you are taking a risk that could impact your company's operations.
You must remember that Sally is being paid regardless of her ability to work. Neglecting to offer IT assistance and support may appear to be a cost-saving tactic, but it could ultimately result in much greater expenses further down the road.
The hackers will not stop because Sally isn't working today.
Support for Sally's account is needed even when she is not actively using it. Ongoing monitoring is required to ensure backups are running, especially on collaborative platforms where others can change data. Additionally, when using shared devices, other team members may make changes that could affect Sally's work, making computer support essential.
Even when Sally is not present in the business, bad actors (hackers) continue to search for vulnerabilities. It's common to discover that outsourcers, contractors, and subcontractors need help to secure services they can access. They often focus on quickly accessing your data, completing the task, and moving on to the next job, which can result in security being overlooked.
When something goes wrong, they don't share the same sense of teamwork and responsibility as your team, even if their actions affect others. Unlike your team, they have other companies to work for, while your team relies solely on you for income. It's common for a business to fail after a ransomware attack, especially if they don't receive proper support. Without IT support for all your team members, the risk of a severe attack increases significantly.
Providing IT assistance and support to your entire team is good practice.
It's good to ensure everyone has the same access to IT resources and support, regardless of their job status. When everyone has the same level of support, it helps them to perform their job to the best of their ability and increases their chances of success.
When employees face IT problems, it can throw a wrench in their day and slow down the whole operation. Everyone in your team should have access to IT support. If someone's computer crashes, for example, IT can swoop in and save the day so they can get back to work. This keeps everyone productive and the business running smoothly.
Treating employees fairly is vital to creating a happy and productive workplace. A great way to do this is by ensuring everyone has equal access to IT support, no matter their job title. This ensures everyone feels valued and supported when they need help with computer-related questions.
Specific regulations mandate that businesses offer all employees equal access to IT support, irrespective of their employment status. By providing equal IT support to all employees, companies can ensure that they are complying with these regulations.
Get IT support for your whole team.
In conclusion, treating all team members with fairness and equality is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing for any modern company. Providing equal access to IT support for all employment types can increase productivity, greater job satisfaction, and a more positive work environment.
By prioritising the needs of all team members, regardless of their employment status, you are fostering a culture of inclusivity and fairness. This approach can lead to greater team member loyalty, increased retention rates, and a more diverse and talented workforce. So, embrace the power of IT support equality and make your company a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.