Are bad apps stopping you from hiring?

This whole thing about different generations in the workplace turned out to be quite the rabbit hole—and now that I’ve started down it, there doesn’t seem to be a bottom.

On my way down, I stumbled upon the story of Alex Torres, who turned down a job because of the productivity tool they used. (!?)

I touched on this in my last post when I wrote about Millennials—

the generation that places the highest demands on the tools they use at work.

According to my research, Millennials started the trend, and Gen Z quickly followed suit.

Hmm… is this really a thing?

I think it is. Personally, I want to work as efficiently as possible. I don’t want to waste time in clunky apps and outdated systems.

The debate really took off during the pandemic, when expectations for digital tools skyrocketed as hybrid workplaces became the new normal.

So now the question is—should you, as an employer, give in to every suggestion your employees have when it comes to software and applications?

Let’s find out. Down the rabbit hole we go!

A phenomenon worth caring about?

The case of Alex Torres might sound extreme—he turned down a six-figure job for one simple reason: the productivity tool.

“I literally told the recruiter: ‘I’m sorry, using Microsoft Teams is not for me.’”

Even he seemed surprised by his own reaction, adding:

“I never thought I would be passionate about this. But I am.”

Extreme? Sure. But there’s a lot of truth in what he says. I’m the same way—and chances are, so are you, even if you haven’t realized it yet.

Because we all have our camps. We identify with certain brands, apps, or tools that make us feel comfortable, confident, and productive.

Do you use iPhone or Android?

Do you shop at ICA, Coop, Lidl, Mathem, or Hemköp?

Do you work on Mac, PC, or Linux?

Do you drive Volvo, Audi, Škoda, or Tesla?

I’m team iPhone—and I’d stop using my phone if my employer forced me to switch to Android. Not because Androids are bad or ugly, but because I’m used to the iPhone interface and I like how it works.

When I buy groceries, I always go to ICA. My fallback is Hemköp (the proximity principle applies). I’d never even consider Coop—not because it’s bad, but because it just doesn’t fit me, my preferences, or my framework.

Believe it or not, this isn’t new. It’s a classic case of fanboy/fangirl-ism—defending your brand blindly, ignoring flaws, and criticizing competitors.

Now, it seems that phenomenon has made its way into the workplace. But should we take it seriously?

Just me and Torres?

Before writing this post, I wanted to see if my theory held up. I thought of a friend of mine who’s a carpenter. He flat-out refused to hang hundreds of drywall panels for one simple reason—they had bought (and I quote) “cheap, crappy screws.”

He was passionate about the screw choice because of productivity. On a previous job, those same screws slipped and broke, forcing them to redo parts of the project.

Had they not complained, the company would’ve continued believing they were saving money—when in reality, it cost them more time and effort.

So, we want tools that make us comfortable and more productive—whether we’re carpenters or office workers.

What’s the trend saying?

Both Gen Z and Millennials value work-life balance, flexibility, well-being, and culture. To support that, you’ll need to think strategically.

While well-being and culture aren’t directly influenced by the software you choose (that’s another discussion), your tech stack still reflects your company’s identity and how it’s perceived.

Work-life balance and flexibility, on the other hand—that’s where digital tools make a huge difference.

You need digital systems that support flexibility, help people stay balanced, and allow them to work from wherever they’re most productive—home, office, or somewhere in between.

So, what’s the takeaway?

Are the right tools important at work?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: absolutely, here’s why:

Employees are becoming increasingly selective—not because they like to complain, but because they care. The new generations want to get things done, not get things to work.

If you don’t adapt your tools for the generations now entering the workforce, you’ll eventually fall behind—because no one wants to waste time in clunky software.

In the long run, people will choose workplaces based on culture, values, work-life balance, and technology. So, when you’re evaluating your tech stack, ask yourself:

• Is the interface modern and easy to use?
• Does the app work on both iOS and Android (especially if you have a BYOD policy)?
• Is it compatible with Mac, PC, and Linux?
• Does it support a fully digital workplace?

Gather feedback from your team before deciding, and remember—you can’t please everyone. Aim for the majority.

And don’t forget: Alex Torres and I are the extremes. For every two of us, there are probably ten “normal” people (but we’re usually the loudest).

Most importantly—listen to us. Give us the tools we need.

Otherwise… we’ll leave.

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