The deskless workforce, or employees who aren’t tied to a desk all day, form the backbone of many crucial industries, ranging from retail and healthcare workers to delivery drivers, field technicians, and many more. Despite their undeniable importance in the modern economy, many workers don’t receive their fair share of pay or respect.

This has made it hard for managers and leaders to find effective ways to engage deskless workers, with the physical distance and communication gaps making it especially difficult. In this article, we uncover five simple steps to turn this around, helping you bridge this gap and boost engagement.

Understanding the Deskless Workforce

Across organizations and industries, deskless joes are known to be unique, often with specific needs and preferences. More than anything, they crave flexibility and immediate access to information, and unlike office workers, they can’t just hop on a Zoom call or check their emails every hour.

Did you know that over 80% of the global workforce is deskless? These workers are mostly engaged in agriculture, construction, healthcare, retail, and logistics.

Understanding these demographics can help managers tailor their engagement strategies more effectively.

Also Read: How to Choose Between Intranet and Extranet for Deskless Workforce

5 Simple Steps To Engage Deskless Workers

As hard as it might be, not engaging with your deskless workforce can be very detrimental to the performance of your organization. Here are five ways to engage the deskless workforce to get things in order and attain the best possible results when engaging with your deskless workforce.

Step 1: Prioritize Mobile Communication

Given the nature of their work, traditional communication methods such as email may not always work for deskless workers. They’re rarely, if ever, in front of their computers, so you can’t expect them to keep up with email threads. Thus, mobile-first is the way to go.

• Mobile Apps: Use apps designed for instant communication. Apps or dedicated workforce management tools ensure quick and easy access to important updates. Deskless workers should be made aware of the types of correspondence they are likely to receive and asked to keep an eye on the right messenger service so that they don’t miss out on any important messages.Using tools, workers can stay informed about developments that don’t necessarily pertain to them. This, in turn, helps boost overall morale and productivity within the organization, even if people are distributed across the world.
• Text Messages: SMS is king for urgent matters. It’s immediate and doesn’t require an internet connection, making it perfect for time-sensitive information. If you’re workers are stuck in the field where 4G or 5G connectivity might be questionable, SMS could still reach them, keeping them connected with managers and the critical flow of information pertaining to their jobs.
• Customized Apps: Depending on your industry and the nature of your deskless staff’s work, you have plenty of options for creating customized apps and solutions tailored specifically to your organization or even a particular function.

For instance, doctors and nurses can have all the information about a patient right in the palm of their hands, making for easy diagnosis and communication between different departments.

Similarly, beat cops who venture out into the field can receive real-time updates about a person or region of interest, for which apps such as WhatsApp or Slack may not be suitable.

Step 2: Invest In Continuous Learning

Continuous learning isn’t just for office workers. Deskless employees also benefit from skill development, which keeps them motivated and improves performance. By continually investing in their skills and development, organizations can ensure their field or behind-the-scenes operations are safer, more effective, and efficient in the long run.

• Microlearning: Short, focused learning modules that can be completed on the go are perfect for busy workers. Certain platforms offer courses that fit into tight schedules and embrace the microlearning aesthetic that keeps learners hooked without overwhelming them.
• Mobile Platforms: Deliver content using mobile-friendly training tools. Certain apps ensure learning is accessible anytime, anywhere. This ensures that field or deskless workers have no reason to give up for not staying updated on their skills and capabilities.

Step 3: Foster Recognition and Appreciation

Employees across all jobs feel the need to be recognized for their efforts and appreciated for their achievements. This is especially true for behind-the-scenes workers, whose efforts may not be that visible but are crucial for a wide range of tasks nonetheless.

• Public Praise: Acknowledge achievements in team meetings or via internal communication channels. Highlighting their hard work publicly shows them they’re valued. Pay, perks, benefits, and salary hikes do have their place, but praise and recognition are something that humans are hardwired to crave. You can pay your employees best-in-class salaries, but they still find something missing unless they are valued for their contributions.
• Personalized Rewards: Small gestures like gift cards, extra break times, or personalized thank-you notes can go a long way. Tailor these rewards to individual preferences for maximum impact. Be careful when doing this because small rewards such as these could easily come across as cheap or even a slap in the face if it fails to match the magnitude of contributions. We’ve also seen those infuriating videos of long-serving employees being rewarded with a $20 gift card.

Step 4: Empower and Involve Them

Empowerment leads to ownership and better problem-solving. When deskless workers feel their input matters, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed. Often, the best way for managers to engage employees is by asking them for their suggestions, which makes them feel involved.

• Decision-Making: Involve them in decisions that affect their work. This could be through surveys, feedback forms, or regular check-ins where their opinions are heard and valued. People like the feeling of being in control, which is missing when others make decisions on your behalf or for you. Even if a certain decision has to be made, consider asking people for their opinions and explaining to them why this was arrived at.
• Autonomy: Give them the freedom to make decisions on the job. Trusting them to manage their tasks boosts confidence and job satisfaction. It’s not easy to understand the nuances of field and deskless jobs while sitting in comfortable office spaces. This is precisely where organizational planning goes awry, with managers lacking hands-on experience with a certain task.Providing deskless workers with the autonomy to make decisions not only empowers and boosts morale, it also makes operations more efficient and smoother, since the decisions are taken by those who are literally in the field.

Step 5: Build A Strong Community

Creating a sense of community can be tough for a dispersed workforce, but it’s crucial for engagement and essential for managers looking to boost morale, loyalty, and productivity.

• Internal Social Platforms: Use these platforms to create a virtual community where workers can share updates, successes, and even casual conversations. But remember, it all comes down to the practicalities of different jobs and their unique requirements.
• Team-Building Events: Organize events that bring everyone together, whether physically or virtually. This could be through team outings, virtual coffee breaks, or regular team meetings. Once every few months shut down routine operations and take your entire team, especially those working behind the scenes, on a short trip. Make sure no one is left out, and everyone gets to see one another, at least during such excursions.

Also Read: How to Address the Digital Gap in a Deskless Organization

Pro Tip: Leverage Technology

Leveraging technology is essential for enhancing engagement among deskless workers. Modern tech solutions provide tools for better communication, performance tracking, and more.

1. Enhancing Engagement

• Real-Time Communication: Use platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and workforce apps (e.g., Beekeeper, Crew) for instant updates and feedback.
• Performance Tracking: Apps like TINYpulse and 15Five offer real-time feedback and recognition, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Digital Recognition: Tools like Bonusly and Kudos enable immediate digital recognition, integrating seamlessly with communication platforms.

2. User-Friendly Interfaces

• Ease of Use: Implement simple, intuitive interfaces accessible to all employees.
• Training: Provide comprehensive training and support, including tutorials and a buddy system.
• Customization: Use platforms with customizable dashboards and seamless integration with existing systems.

Effective technology use bridges the gap between deskless workers and the organization, enhancing engagement through improved communication, recognition, and continuous feedback.

Also Read: Strategies to Encourage Feedback From Deskless Workers

Conclusion

Engaging your deskless workforce doesn’t have to be daunting. By prioritizing mobile communication, recognizing achievements, investing in continuous learning, empowering your workers, and building a strong community, you can foster a more connected and motivated team.

Remember, leveraging technology is key to making these strategies work seamlessly. So, start implementing these steps today and watch your workforce thrive!

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is a deskless workforce?

The deskless workforce essentially refers to workers who lack a traditional office space assigned to them. This group includes industrial, agricultural, and a significant portion of healthcare workers.

2) What percent of global workers are deskless?

An estimated 80% of the global workforce—about 3 billion individuals worldwide — does not sit at desks to perform their jobs.

3) What are the common challenges of managing deskless workers?

There are plenty of challenges associated with managing or engaging with deskless workers. A few common ones include the physical distance leading to communication gaps, the lack of visibility and transparency, and difficulties with tracking.

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