The Deskless Worker
The Overlooked Majority of Our Workforce:
Deskless workers, also known as hourly or shift-based workers, are a vital part of the workforce that can often go unnoticed. Making up 80% of all workers worldwide, these 2.7 billion people can be found working in the field, on the assembly line, behind the wheel, in clothing shops, classrooms, and emergency rooms.
However, these workers are continually underserved often for the simple fact that they are misunderstood by decision makers who are more familiar with the “office worker” paradigm. They are repeatedly left behind when it comes to technology adoption, training, and work schedule flexibility.
Let’s shed some light on where these deskless workers can be found in different industries, who they are, and what they care about.
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of retailers say finding, training, and hiring good employees is a top business challenge.
*
Engagement Motivators
Industry Impacts
Reward and recognition
Schedule visibility and
self-service shift swaps
Challenging schedules
Dynamic customer demands
Recognition and incentives
Coworker camaraderie
of all workers globally perform deskless roles.
Who are they?
What They Value
Open communication
High turnover, seasonality
These associates work at your favorite stores and fill your online orders. Often experiencing high turnover, these workplaces struggle to maintain communication across a sprawling network, connecting their HQ to satellite locations.
U.S. Retail Workers
Scheduling flexibility
Known as: Partners, Associates, Team Members
Retail
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HELP
WANTED
Engagement Motivators
Industry Impacts
Lack of upskilling
Division between management and workers
Production quotas
What They Value
Safe work environment
Scheduling flexibility
Being respected and included
Safety and emergency protocols
Easy access to SOPs and troubleshooting
Two-way communication and input
Despite Record Level New Hires, Manufacturing Job Openings Are Still Hovering Near All-Time Highs at
These workers make, build, and assemble the things we use every day. They are on their feet and operating machinery, physically working side-by-side with peers and some of the most sophisticated technology in the history of manufacturing.
U.S. Manufacturing Workers
Known as: Production, Shop Floor, Frontline
Manufacturing
*
U.S. Healthcare Workers
Scheduling flexibility
Access to procedures, policies, regulations
Two-way communication and sentiment surveys
Budget constraints and insufficient pay
Burnout from fast-paced working conditions
Mentally and physically draining
Training and transparency
Being respected and supported
Helping others
Engagement Motivators
Industry Impacts
These people care for, heal, and rehabilitate us. Though some have access to a desk, their real work is with patients whose well-being relies on them. They require “always on” access to information in a variety of environments and situations, especially when they’re on their feet.
What They Value
Known as: Nurses, Doctors, Clinicians, Medical Assistants, EMTs
Healthcare
5
out of employers across energy technologies reported having some difficulty hiring new employes.
*
U.S. Workers
Engagement Motivators
Industry Impacts
What They Value
Surveys and sentiment analysis
Flexible work arrangements
Continuous learning
Lack of focus on workforce potential
Poor perception of career growth
Clean and affordable energy transition
Being respected and heard
Scheduling flexibility
Compensation
These crew and field workers keep us connected, comfortable, and running smoothly. They often communicate through unsecured, third-party apps, which means management can’t be certain if teams are receiving needed information and feeling supported and protected.
Known as: Waterworks, Gas Experts, Powerlines
Utilities
WorkForce Software’s Scott Bamford, Workforce Management Solutions Director, speaks with DiversityQ about what can be done to create the best employee experience and support their essential deskless teams to find balance.
5 Ways to Address Deskless Employees’ Burnout | DiversityQ
IN THE NEWS
Learn how employers can utilize technology to meet employee needs, engage your deskless workers, and provide a positive experience to all employees.
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: Technology Trends in Modern Workforce Management
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
One of the main challenges for organizations with deskless employees is managing their time and attendance. Find out how to address these challenges.
Managing Time and Attendance for Deskless Shift Workers
BLOG
CNBC tapped Mike Morini, CEO at WorkForce Software, to discuss how digital HR tools can help counter disengagement and lead to better retention, loyalty, and productivity.
Digital HR Tools and Career Development Among the Best Ways to Re-Energize Workers | CNBC
IN THE NEWS
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Managing deskless shift workers can be a challenge. As these employees are often disconnected from managers and decision-makers, they are at a disadvantage when it comes to communication, training, and technology. Employers must go the extra mile to remove these barriers and bridge the gap between deskless employees and the rest of the company.
Explore how Modern Workforce Management with WorkForce Software can help support your vital deskless workers and overcome the obstacles that prevent their best work.
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Sources
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Production and Nonsupervisory Employees, July 2023.
FinancesOnline, “112 Employee Turnover Statistics: 2023 Causes, Cost & Prevention Data,” 2023.
Deloitte, 2023 Manufacturing Industry Outlook, 2023.
Elsevier Health, “Clinician of the Future,” Report, 2022.
The Cupa-HR 2022 Higher Education Employee Retention Survey, July 2022.
U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Energy & Employment Report, 2023.
of Healthcare Workers Plan to Leave Their Position by 2025
³
Higher Education
Known as: Teachers, Professors, Advisors, Student Workers
Education Workers
These people teach, mentor, and guide us. While they may have access to a desk, their real work is with their students, peers, and the community. They require digital access to information, especially when they’re on their feet.
Scheduling flexibility
Two-way communication and sentiment surveys
Access to procedures, policies, regulations
Shaping the minds of their students
Being respected and supported
Ongoing training and transparency
What They Value
Mentally draining dedication
Concern with declining enrollment and budgets
Burnout from changing work environments
Industry Impacts
Engagement Motivators
*
of higher education employees plan to leave their job in favor of remote work opportunities, and 32% want more flexible schedules.
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CUSTOMER STORY
INDUSTRY PAGE
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5
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2
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of higher education employees plan to leave their job in favor of remote work opportunities, and 32% want more flexible schedules.
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