‘Deskless’ workers report feeling less valued by employers than those in more traditional office-based settings.
A significant disparity exists, according to a new OC Tanners latest Global Culture Report, with just four out of 10 ‘deskless’ workers in the UK – which includes construction workers, delivery drivers, and frontline employees — saying they feel valued and appreciated by their employer. This compares to more than six out of 10 (61 per cent) of their desk-based corporate counterparts.
The report says this divide emphasises a failure on the part of organisations to acknowledge and value their ‘deskless’ workforce, contributing to diminished job satisfaction among these employees.
OC Tanner managing director of workplace culture and recognition specialist Robert Ordever says: “Reaching and engaging deskless workers. who tend to lack regular access to technology and tools is often seen as too difficult.
“These UK workers may be the last to hear company news, may struggle with basic administration, and lack influence and opportunities. But this status quo isn’t a given — it’s been allowed to take hold due to poor leadership and a mismanaged culture.”
Ordever emphasises the need to bridge this “appreciation gap”, asserting that the two-tier recognition system is untenable, especially considering the critical role deskless workers play in saving lives and maintaining organisational functions.
The report recommends a strategic approach to recognition, positioning it at the core of company culture.
Key initiatives include training leaders on effective recognition, providing mobile-enabled technologies for deskless workers, and instructing managers on reaching their teams through various means, including traditional offline methods such as team meetings, thank-you notes, and notice boards.
Ordever adds: “Deskless workers must not be made to feel inferior, they deserve recognition and appreciation in meaningful ways. This fosters a sense of belonging, community, and fulfilment, ultimately increasing the likelihood of their long-term commitment to the company and the delivery of exceptional work.”
