The frontline needs internal mobility too

Frontline workers are the unsung heroes of the workforce – and it is high time they are treated as such.

Organizations have tried to step up around technology – an area where the frontline has long-time been overlooked – but, according to new research by Quinyx, they have invested in the wrong places.

Frontline employees, like their office-based counterparts, are now facing tech overwhelm.

One in three of the 13,000 deskless workers surveyed by Quinyx use five or more work-related apps daily. 33% said these apps didn’t help and 22% are frustrated by these tools, particularly their lack of user friendliness.

Another major issue is that out of those five or more tools, employers have failed to invest in the one technology that frontline workers really need: scheduling tools.

80% of workers still lack the technology to swap shifts easily. Instead, they are still relying on outdated, manual methods – 55% are still contacting their manager or colleagues directly to swap shifts, and 25% only see their schedule in a printout at work.

All of this is having a huge impact on burnout and stress on the frontline. 62% of respondents told Quinyx they had experienced workplace stress – and the main stressor was lack of schedule flexibility.

41% have no say over their schedules and 45% said this affected their personal lives as it meant they missed out on family and social events.

How to retain frontline workers

Stress is bad for business. It leads to a disengaged, unmotivated, unproductive workforce – but, more than that, it contributes to high turnover rates.

Another major cause of high attrition that frontline employers have particularly struggled with over the past two years is career development opportunities.

Quinyx’s report found that the deskless workforce is being particularly overlooked around internal mobility – one in three think they’re in a dead end job – and it is high time that employers rectify this to improve retention.

68% of deskless workers told Quinyx they would stay with their current company if they had more development opportunities.

The problem is communication – many organizations do not make it easy for employees to access learning and development opportunities – this is also a finding of LinkedIn’s recent Global Talent Trends report.

Talking about the findings, Quinyx’s chief strategy officer Tristan Rogers tells UNLEASH: “It’s so important that HR leaders look at the bigger picture when it comes to employee engagement.

“Sure, pay is a key factor – arguably more so than ever, as economic instability continues. Yet there’s a lot more to it than that, as our findings show.

“Employees are seeking flexibility, opportunities for progression, and reassurance that their managers will listen to what they have to say.

“Getting to know your team members and finding out what motivates them and matters to them on a personal level can make a huge difference.

“Essentially, it’s the business leaders who go beyond the basics and don’t just focus on pay who will reap the benefits – long-term success with a loyal, engaged workforce at its heart.”

If this article caught your interest, you can find more like it here. Enjoy!