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The Frontline Has Spoken – Are We Really Listening?

When it comes to engaging our frontline workforce, there’s one truth that’s hard to ignore: they’ve had enough of being overlooked.


I recently had the pleasure of joining Abby Guthch from Flip for a webinar that put a spotlight on the reality facing frontline workers today. Backed by research from over 1,000 deskless employees across the UK and Germany, the message was loud and clear: people want to feel valued, heard, and supported.


At Work Networks, we work with organisations every day who are navigating the challenges of engaging dispersed, hard-to-reach teams. From NHS Trusts to logistics companies, the struggles are consistent: burnout, low morale, poor communication and a widening disconnect between leadership and those on the ground.


Flip’s research validated much of what we’re seeing:


  • 21% of frontline workers admit to doing the bare minimum.

  • Nearly two-thirds experience stress or burnout at least once a month.

  • And only 47% feel recognised at work.


These are more than just numbers, they're a call to action.


So what can we do about it?


What stood out to me most in the webinar was just how transformative the basics can be. Appreciation. Clear communication. Real listening. None of these require huge budgets, but they do demand intent.


That’s where the right tools and partners come in. At Work Networks, we don’t just help clients implement digital workplace platforms—we help them build engagement strategies that make people feel connected to something bigger. Whether it’s shaping internal comms, selecting the right technologies, or training managers to lead with empathy, our goal is to be the partner who gets it.


Why this matters now more than ever


Post-COVID, the urgency around employee experience has shifted. We’re no longer in a moment of emergency engagement, it’s about sustainable, strategic investment in our people. And frontline workers? They’re not optional extras. They’re the backbone of service delivery, brand experience, and operational excellence.


If you're grappling with how to re-engage your workforce or how to do more with less, I’d highly recommend taking 45 minutes to watch the webinar. The insights are practical, the conversation is honest, and it might just spark your next big internal shift.

 


And if you’re looking for a partner to help turn insights into action, that’s exactly what Work Networks is here for.


 
 
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