Engaging Frontline Employees

In the ever-evolving global workforce landscape, frontline workers stand as the backbone of many industries, and the importance of their engagement and retention for any organization’s success cannot be overstated.

From healthcare professionals to retail staff, frontline employees are often the first point of contact for customers, playing a crucial role in the functioning of businesses and institutions. For example, in the bustling manufacturing world, frontline employees are the individuals on the shop floor, operating machinery, managing logistics, and ensuring products meet quality standards.

Current research shows that about 112 million workers, or 70 percent of the working population in the U.S., are frontline workers. Historically, many frontline workers have come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. They are disproportionately women, people of color, and older than 50. They often work long hours or need more hours to make ends meet.

These employees are 4.6 times more likely to perform at their best when they feel engaged and well-informed, leading to 21% higher profitability.

However, retention and engagement levels have historically been low at the frontline. Poor communication is a leading factor in employee turnover, with 41% of employees citing it as a major reason for leaving their jobs.

Moreover, according to McKinsey, 34% of those who left their industries cite flexibility as an issue for leaving; and 32% list a lack of career development opportunities as the reason for exit.

Top business leaders across industries found that the best ways to support frontline workers in developing are as follows:

  • Identify jobs in the organization that lend themselves to promotions.
  • Formalize paths for advancement from the front line to corporate roles.
  • Reward experience rather than relying on credentials.
  • Give a voice to frontline employees.
  • Hire managers from the front lines.

Please join us on a webinar with Sonya Sephaban, CEO of OurOffice, Ginger Leahy, Senior Director of Human Resources at AM General, Shawndia North, Director of Human Resources at Hamilton Anderson, and Jordan Falby, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Walker-Miller Energy Services.

Executives and leaders, HR professionals and people managers across industries and organizations of any type and size will benefit from learning about the following at this webinar:

  • The common challenges and barriers to improve engagement and retention at the frontline
  • Effective strategies and tools for ensuring that frontline employees' voices are heard and valued
  • Success stories of organizations that have benefited from actively engaging with their frontline workforce to retain and engage them

Location: Online

Date: September 18, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm EST (9:00 am PDT, 11am CDT, 5 PM CET)

Who: Sonya Sepahban (She/her)

Recertification Credits

SHRM: 1 PDC

OurOffice Inc. is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®

Hosted By:

Sonya Sepahban

CEO, OurOffice

Jordan Falby

Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Walker-Miller Energy Services

Shawndia North

Director of Human Resources at Hamilton Anderson

Ginger-Lee Leahy

Senior Director of Human Resources at AM General