Tech can unlock future for frontline workers: Report | WARC | The Feed

Tech can unlock future for frontline workers: Report

Two billion frontline workers around the world, representing 80% of the global workforce, have been hit hardest by events of the past two years and they are underserved by technology, but just as the pandemic was a catalyst for spurring rapid digital transformation for information workers, Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Special Report on Frontline Workers suggests a similar inflection point on the frontline.

Why it matters

Business leaders navigating the changing workplace can gain insights and guidance from frontline worker data that spotlights the challenge of how to balance employee well-being and growth with business results.

Key insights

• A culture of caring is the new currency on the frontline, with 76% of workers feeling bonded to one another but 62% saying their company doesn’t prioritise culture.
• Fifty-one percent of those in non-management positions on the frontline don’t feel valued as employees and, on average, 58% believe work stress will stay the same or worsen in 2022.
• Amid the Great Reshuffle, frontline workers cite better pay, work-life balance, benefits and flexibility as top reasons for considering a job change.
• Tech optimism is high but there is a training gap for tech solutions – tech tools rank third on the list of factors that can help to reduce stress, after pay and paid time off.
• Forty-six percent of frontline workers say they even value technological tools over mental health and wellness benefits.
• Sixty-three percent are excited about the job opportunities tech creates but 46% fear job loss if they don’t adapt to new tech and 55% have had to learn new tech with no formal training.

Quote

“The pandemic has put incredible strain on frontline workers. But across all of our research, we are getting a clear signal about the opportunity to align business outcomes with the wellbeing and growth of employees. And it’s encouraging to see that technology can help” – Jared Spataro, corporate vice president of modern work, Microsoft.

Background

Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Special Report on Frontline Workers includes a global survey of 9,600 frontline workers across eight countries in eight industries conducted in October/November 2021 who are unable to work remotely.