As much as 80% of the global workforce is made up of deskless workers, navigating roles that transcend traditional office spaces. Yet, despite their prevalence, deskless workers often encounter a significant hurdle – the absence of accessible or effective employee engagement solutions.

From fostering a sense of belonging to navigating communication gaps, these employees face unique hurdles that demand attention. This deficiency not only poses a challenge in adapting to the growing demands of customers but also raises concerns from a hiring and training perspective in terms of cost.

In this article, we unravel the complexities of deskless work, delving into the practical strategies to address issues like engagement gaps head-on.

What is a deskless worker?

You might not know what they are, but you most likely have worked with one. Deskless workers, numbering over 2.7 billion globally, don’t have a designated office or work environment and are not required to work from a desk.

Deskless workers can be found across industries, especially in healthcare, retail, transportation, construction, and hospitality. Remote workers or digital nomads, who work remotely without a traditional office, also fall under the deskless category.

What hurdles do deskless workers navigate daily?

The term “deskless” is somewhat new, but the conversation surrounding the treatment of these employees has been around for years. Because these employees are more than just a click away, they are often excluded from company communications and programmes and, therefore, are often overlooked and under-appreciated.

Let’s delve into the disconnects that impact deskless employees on a daily basis.

Lack of inclusion

Deskless workers often miss out on crucial company communications, like updates and programmes. This exclusion leads to detachment, making deskless employees feel out of the loop and undervalued.

Limited training opportunities

Results from our global New Rules of Engagement® study show 80% of these employees reported having some sort of electronic device that allowed their employer to communicate with them.

Despite having electronic devices, only 36% of deskless workers receive necessary training. This lack of training hinders personal growth and can affect the efficiency of daily operations.

Lack of recognition

Only a mere 34% of deskless workers receive recognition through electronic devices. This recognition deficiency leaves deskless employees feeling unappreciated, impacting their motivation.

Culture misalignment

Going beyond training and acknowledgement, there’s a need for a culture that values deskless workers. Establishing such a culture ensures that deskless employees feel valued and indispensable, fostering higher engagement and commitment.

“When we asked those employees about recognition actions they experienced in the past month, compared to their traditional office-housed counterparts, the results were stark”

– BI WORLDWIDE

How to engage deskless workers

Ensuring employee engagement remains a priority, regardless of their workspace, is pivotal for reaping numerous benefits. From boosting morale to enhancing productivity, engaging deskless workers is a crucial aspect of a thriving workplace.

Here are 6 ways to engage deskless workers:

Address key business challenges

Employers of deskless employees face industrial safety, retention, customer service and absenteeism challenges. Recognise employees for positive outcomes in key areas.

Recognition programmes can take many forms but best-in-class programmes include a blend of reward and non-reward-based peer to peer recognition, manager recognition, long-service awards, and milestone celebrations, as well as ensuring employees are recognised regularly for their contributions and achievements.

Digital engagement platforms provide an organised space to amplify these efforts, ensuring every positive outcome doesn’t go unnoticed and boost morale and performance in key aspects of their operations.

Seamlessly integrate with existing tools

A large and growing number of employers already have a way to communicate electronically with employees. Leveraging these existing channels, such as handheld devices compatible with recognition and reward ecosystems, offer a “one-stop-shop” solution.

Whether your team excels in adhering to safety protocols, delivering outstanding customer service, or consistently demonstrating high efficiency levels, it’s time to celebrate their accomplishments.

Check out the Global Rewards Marketplace™ for a variety of rewards, such as merchandise, experience days, and travel incentives to celebrate your top-performing employees. This approach not only streamlines communication, but also enhances the overall experience for your deskless team.

Foster user adoption

Just because there’s an app available to participants doesn’t mean there will be adoption unless you implement a comprehensive strategy to solve for it. Best practices include on-location advocates and gamification elements to improve participation.

Incorporating various gaming elements such as badging, scoring, leader boards, and level completion, as a way to incentivise, drive positive behaviours, and enhance your employees experience, which ultimately will meets your objectives.

This multifaceted approach ensures that your engagement tools are embraced, effectively utilised, and seamlessly integrated into the daily routines of your workforce, driving sustained participation and impact.

Tell the story

Effectively conveying the narrative behind an initiative is vital for engaging deskless workers. While electronic communication plays a crucial role, the inclusion of offline tools enhances the overall storytelling experience.

Consider integrating branded merchandise, impactful displays, and breakroom leaderboards to provide a tangible and sustained connection to the initiative’s key elements, be it safety protocols, exceptional customer service, or other crucial aspects.

This combination of digital and physical mediums ensures a comprehensive and lasting impact, making the narrative more tangible and relatable for your deskless workforce.

Share early wins

As your engagement programme unfolds and initial successes become evident, it’s crucial to spotlight these achievements as inspirations for your deskless workforce. This goes beyond acknowledging success; it actively contributes to fostering a positive company culture and boosting engagement.

Whether it’s recognising an associate’s adept handling of a challenging customer or celebrating a manufacturing plant’s error-free streak, these early triumphs serve as tangible examples of success.

Make adjustments

Recognising that success is an ongoing journey, it’s crucial to implement a process of continual measurement and adjustment, particularly in training deskless workers. Regularly assess the impact of the programme, identifying areas of success and potential improvements. For instance, in the initial stages, providing skills training can lay a strong foundation. As employees adopt and excel in these skills, consider introducing more advanced training to further elevate their capabilities.

Additionally, seek valuable input from your deskless workforce by actively asking for employee feedback. This not only enhances engagement but also fosters a sense of openness, creativity, and idea sharing.

This approach ensures that your programme evolves in alignment with the changing needs and aspirations of your deskless workforce, fostering a dynamic and adaptive engagement strategy.

Deskless no longer means disconnected

Use the same tactics and resources that inspire your office employees to elevate your organisation’s employee experience, wherever they are.

With BI WORLDWIDE, discover communication solutions for deskless workers and practical ways to engage your entire workforce, irrespective of their workspace.