Hurdles in Recognizing Deskless Workers
Recognition programs are essential for engagement, but they often overlook the largest segment of the workforce—those who don't sit at a desk. According to an SHRM study, deskless employees make up between 70% and 80% of the global workforce. Yet despite their numbers, the State of Recognition Report found that 45% of surveyed workers believe acknowledgment of their efforts would boost productivity. Meanwhile, data from the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) reveals that only a small fraction of these employees feel connected to the people and information they need to succeed.
Primary Obstacles and Strategies for Improvement
The main barriers for recognition programs include: lack of computer and corporate email access, irregular schedules, shared device usage, and unequal recognition between office and frontline staff. In healthcare, for example, half of workers reported that the most meaningful acknowledgment was specific and intangible, highlighting the need to tailor recognition by sector.
To address these issues, organizations must pursue several key objectives. First, recognition must be accessible everywhere, using mobile and offline tools. Second, front-line contributions need to be as visible as corporate achievements. Managers should also act as bridges between teams.
Practical tactics can enhance programs: mobile platforms, tangible rewards, public shout-outs, QR codes, and peer-to-peer recognition. Platforms like Achievers, Guusto, Kudos, and Motivosity offer varied tools. Achievers provides mobile access, QR codes, kiosks, physical recognition cards, and integrations with Workday, Outlook, Slack, and Microsoft. Guusto supports SMS and QR-code recognition. Kudos focuses on structured recognition tied to company values. Motivosity emphasizes social connection and peer recognition.
External recognition also matters—praise from customers or patients builds pride and trust. Linking recognition to company values is key to motivation. To close the gap between corporate and frontline teams, organizations must prioritize recognition everywhere their people work. As the global workforce evolves, adapting strategies for deskless employees not only boosts productivity but also strengthens corporate culture and overall company success.
As organizations strive to enhance recognition for all employees, understanding the most effective platforms can significantly impact engagement levels. Exploring the top employee engagement solutions available in the coming years will provide valuable insights into how to implement successful recognition strategies that include deskless workers.