Just launched: The Deskless Report 2024聽
Frontline challenges have evolved鈥攈ere鈥檚 how to keep up
When we last examined the state of the frontline two years ago, our findings showed a frontline stretched thin, balancing burnout, uncertainty and reactive decisions in the aftermath of the pandemic. Fast forward to 2024, and while some challenges have eased, others persist, reshaping the realities of frontline work.
Our new Deskless Report 2024 dives into this evolution, sharing fresh insights from five industries: retail, grocery, foodservice, hospitality and distribution and logistics. We polled nearly 800 respondents, including executives, managers and employees, on themes like daily challenges, communication effectiveness, training needs and use of technology.
So, where do frontline organizations go from here? We鈥檝e identified key insights that reveal what鈥檚 really happening and how businesses can create a better experience for their teams鈥攕tarting today.
Here鈥檚 a glimpse:
1. From crisis mode to guarded optimism
The daily chaos has subsided, with fewer employees feeling burned out and more expressing optimism about their future.
But that doesn鈥檛 mean all is well鈥攖here鈥檚 still a long way to go. Challenges like understaffing and burnout linger, creating a reality where 鈥渓ess bad鈥 still isn’t good enough.
77% of frontline employees describe themselves as somewhat happy at work, but executives tend to overestimate this satisfaction at 92%. Bridging this perception gap is essential for true progress.
2. Career advancement isn鈥檛 always the answer
There鈥檚 a widespread belief that offering career growth opportunities will automatically improve frontline satisfaction. But the data tells a different story. While over half (56%) of managers express interest in career development and upskilling, only 41% of frontline employees share that same desire. Their focus is on succeeding today, not necessarily climbing the ladder tomorrow.
This means that while career paths matter, companies must prioritize immediate needs like stability and support before aiming for long-term growth. Addressing issues such as inconsistent schedules, lack of communication and limited access to tools can make a bigger impact to them having a great shift, today.
3. Empower your managers to drive change
Managers sit at the intersection of employee needs and company goals, making them critical to solving frontline challenges. Yet, their needs for support and training often go unmet鈥攊n fact, our research shows that 67% of managers feel like they are 鈥渕aking it up as they go along鈥 at work at least some of the time.
In addition, while our report reveals that 66% of managers feel their organization invests in their growth, many still face daily hurdles. To create a more sustainable frontline environment, companies must focus on empowering managers and helping them support their teams more effectively.
Intentional changes鈥攍ike offering more training and prioritizing well-being鈥攃an significantly impact managers鈥 confidence to lead.
Ready to dive deeper?
The Deskless Report 2024 is packed with insights and actionable solutions to tackle the frontline鈥檚 toughest challenges. From improving communication to creating a sense of community among employees, our report is a must-read for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of frontline workers.
馃憠 Get the full report and see how you can turn today鈥檚 challenges into tomorrow鈥檚 opportunities.