Understanding the Deskless Workforce: Strategies for HR Leaders

What is the deskless workforce?

Deskless workers are employees who perform their duties outside of a traditional office environment and typically do not have a fixed workstation. These roles span various industries, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality. Unlike desk-based employees, deskless workers rely heavily on mobility and flexibility to carry out their tasks, often using tools or technology specifically designed for their unique work settings.

Examples of deskless roles across industries

• Healthcare: Nurses, paramedics, and caregivers.

• Retail: Sales associates, store managers, and warehouse staff.

• Manufacturing: Assembly line workers, technicians, and machine operators.

• Logistics: Delivery drivers, supply chain managers, and warehouse operatives.

These roles form the backbone of several industries and require tailored management strategies to support productivity, safety, and engagement.

Prevalence in the US and UK

Deskless workers make up a significant portion of the global workforce, including a majority in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Proportion of deskless workers

• United States: Approximately 80% of the workforce operates in deskless roles, covering sectors such as retail, healthcare, and construction.

• United Kingdom: Similarly, a large percentage of workers are deskless, particularly in sectors like logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing.

Economic impact

Deskless workers play a critical role in driving economic growth. Their work ensures supply chains run smoothly, patients receive care, and goods are manufactured and delivered efficiently. Supporting this workforce effectively is essential to maintaining industry momentum and ensuring operational efficiency.

Key takeaway

The prevalence of deskless workers underscores their importance to the economy, making it vital for HR managers and employers to address their specific needs and challenges.

Challenges faced by deskless workers

Supporting deskless workers requires understanding the unique hurdles they face, from communication gaps to limited access to training and inclusion challenges.

Communication barriers

Deskless employees often struggle with effective communication due to their lack of access to traditional workplace tools such as email, intranet systems, or office meetings. Many rely on personal devices or outdated communication methods, which can lead to missed updates or confusion regarding company policies and schedules.

Without real-time communication platforms tailored for deskless roles, employees may feel disconnected from their teams and the organisation as a whole. This can negatively impact productivity, teamwork, and employee satisfaction.

Access to training and development

Training programmes are frequently designed with desk-based employees in mind, leaving deskless workers at a disadvantage. For example:

• Training accessibility: Deskless employees may not have time or access to physical classrooms or desktop-based e-learning platforms.

• Content relevance: Many training materials fail to address the specific challenges or skillsets needed for roles like retail staff, delivery drivers, or healthcare professionals.

This gap can hinder their professional growth and leave them feeling undervalued within the organisation.

Engagement and inclusion

Engaging deskless workers and making them feel part of the organisational culture is another challenge. Being physically distant from the main office or team activities can lead to feelings of isolation. Contributing factors include:

• Limited opportunities for team-building activities or organisational events.
• Minimal recognition for their efforts, especially compared to desk-based counterparts.

A lack of inclusion can result in lower morale and higher turnover rates, making it essential for HR managers to prioritise initiatives that foster a sense of belonging for deskless employees.

By addressing these challenges head-on, organisations can create an environment where deskless workers feel valued and connected.

Strategies for effective management of deskless workers

To support deskless workers effectively, organisations need tailored strategies that address their unique needs while enhancing communication, flexibility, and access to resources.

Leveraging mobile technology

Mobile technology is an essential tool for managing deskless employees, offering a practical solution to communication and resource accessibility. By implementing mobile-based platforms, organisations can:

• Enable real-time communication through apps designed for messaging, updates, and team collaboration.

• Provide mobile access to schedules, timesheets, and important company policies.

• Offer self-service portals for deskless workers to access payslips, request leave, or update personal details.

Using mobile technology ensures deskless employees stay connected, informed, and empowered, no matter where they are.

Flexible scheduling and time management

Digital tools make it easier to manage shifts and schedules while allowing deskless workers to enjoy greater flexibility and autonomy. Key strategies include:

• Using workforce management software to create and adjust schedules quickly based on employee availability and business needs.

• Allowing employees to swap shifts or request changes via online platforms, reducing administrative workload.

• Implementing digital time-tracking systems to ensure accurate attendance records while minimising manual errors.

Flexible scheduling not only boosts employee satisfaction but also improves overall productivity by reducing burnout and absenteeism.

Providing accessible training programs

Training and development opportunities must be tailored to suit the needs of deskless workers. Practical approaches include:

• Developing mobile-friendly learning modules that employees can access during downtime or on their devices.

• Conducting on-site training sessions that fit into the day-to-day operations of deskless roles.

• Offering microlearning options, such as short video tutorials or quizzes, to make learning convenient and engaging.

By removing barriers to training, organisations can help deskless workers enhance their skills, improve performance, and feel valued within the company.

These strategies ensure that deskless employees receive the support they need to excel in their roles, fostering a productive and motivated workforce.

Enhancing engagement and retention

Creating a supportive and inclusive environment for deskless workers is essential for improving employee engagementand reducing turnover.

Personalised employee experience

Tailoring the employee experience to meet the unique needs of deskless workers can significantly boost satisfaction and loyalty. Here’s how organisations can achieve this:

• Personalised benefits: Offer flexible benefits packages that cater to specific roles, such as travel allowances for delivery drivers or wellness programs for healthcare workers.

• Recognition programs: Implement regular recognition initiatives to celebrate achievements, whether through a simple shoutout during team meetings or dedicated reward systems.

• Individualised feedback: Conduct one-on-one sessions to understand each employee's goals and challenges, ensuring they feel heard and supported.

By prioritising personalised experiences, organisations can create a work environment that values and supports deskless employees.

Building a sense of belonging

Fostering inclusivity and community is crucial to keeping deskless workers engaged and motivated. Effective strategies include:

• Regular check-ins: Schedule short, frequent check-ins with deskless employees to address concerns, share updates, and provide feedback.

• Team-building activities: Organise events that bring both desk-based and deskless teams together, such as social gatherings, workshops, or shared training sessions.

• Transparent communication: Use tools like mobile apps or newsletters to keep deskless employees informed about company developments and ensure they feel connected to the organisation’s vision.

Building a sense of belonging not only improves engagement but also encourages loyalty, reducing turnover and strengthening organisational culture.

Legal and compliance considerations

Ensuring compliance with legal requirements is essential when managing deskless and frontline workers, particularly regarding health and safety and fair compensation.

Health and safety regulations

Deskless workers often operate in environments where risks are higher, such as construction sites, manufacturing industries, and transportation roles. Employers must adhere to health and safety regulations to protect employees from workplace accidents and ensure their well-being.

Key considerations include:

• Providing proper training: Ensure all deskless employees receive safety training tailored to their job roles and working environments.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Supply PPE for industries like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing where physical risks are significant.

• Regular inspections: Conduct routine safety checks to identify and address potential hazards in workplaces such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities.

• Emergency protocols: Establish clear procedures for responding to accidents or emergencies and communicate these effectively using mobile apps or engagement tools.

By prioritising safety, organisations can reduce workplace accidents and protect both the physical and mental well-being of deskless employees.

Fair compensation practices

Equitable compensation is critical to retaining deskless workers and ensuring job satisfaction within the global workforce. Many deskless employees rely on overtime and shift-based work, making it essential to establish transparent and fair payment systems.

Key practices include:

• Overtime pay: Ensure deskless workers are compensated accurately for extra shifts in line with legal requirements.

• Benefits packages: Provide benefits such as healthcare coverage, paid leave, or travel allowances tailored to deskless worker industries like hospitality, retail, and manufacturing.

• Digital payment systems: Implement software that tracks hours worked and ensures timely and accurate payments, avoiding discrepancies.

• Transparency: Share clear information on compensation policies with deskless employees using mobile technologies like company emails or apps for easy access to relevant information.

Fair compensation reduces high turnover rates and promotes loyalty, ensuring the frontline workforce feels valued and supported.

Managing deskless workers with the right tools

Effectively managing a deskless workforce requires the right technology to handle scheduling, time tracking, and absence management.

Without a structured system, communication gaps, shift conflicts, and compliance issues can arise, leading to inefficiencies and high turnover rates. With Shiftbase, employers can streamline employee scheduling, ensure accurate time tracking, and simplify absence management—all from one platform.

Designed for deskless and frontline workers, Shiftbase provides real-time access via mobile devices, helping companies improve workforce management and employee satisfaction. Try Shiftbase for free and experience how it empowers deskless employees—sign up for a 14-daytrial today!

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