Bringing the Frontline In: Creating Digital Equity for Deskless Workers
For years, conversations around employee experience have centred on people who sit behind screens — office staff with laptops, fast Wi-Fi, and access to every HR tool imaginable. But what about the workers on the shop floor, factory line, delivery route, warehouse, clinic, or construction site?
Deskless employees make up nearly 80% of the global workforce, yet they’re often the last to be included in digital wellness and engagement strategies.
If we’re serious about building equitable workplaces, we must start redesigning our systems to reach the frontline first, not last.
The Digital Divide Inside the Same Company
While knowledge workers log into wellness apps or receive real-time engagement surveys on their laptops, frontline teams may not even have a company email address, let alone access to mobile coaching, sentiment tools, or recognition platforms. They also face pressures unique to their roles:
- Long shifts and physically demanding work
- Limited control over schedules
- Little visibility into corporate decisions
- Lower access to mental health and digital resources
This isn’t just a wellness oversight — it’s a culture gap hiding inside the organisation.
What Inclusive EX Looks Like at the Frontline
Leading organisations are closing this gap with smart, human-centred changes aimed at accessibility, dignity, and support:
- Mobile-first wellness tools that work on personal phones with no login friction
- bite-sized learning & mental health resources designed for shift workers on the go
- Feedback systems via SMS or voice, not just email or intranet surveys
- Flexible benefits and scheduling autonomy, where possible
- Recognition platforms that allow HQ to celebrate frontline wins in real time
These approaches send a powerful signal: “You matter just as much as anyone at head office.”
Sponsor Benefits at a Glance
If your solution bridges the gap between HQ and the frontline, this is where leaders will notice you:
- Connect with 250+ CHROs, Operations & EX Leaders
- Showcase technology and services built for non-desk workers
- Align with a growing focus on wellness equity, inclusion, and culture
- Build partnerships with companies ready to invest in the entire workforce
Final Thought
True employee experience can’t stop at the office door. When frontline workers feel seen, supported, and digitally included, organisations benefit from higher retention, stronger culture, and better customer outcomes.
Equity in the modern workplace starts with giving everyone a seat, even if their desk looks different.
Join the Conversation
Explore how companies around the world are designing wellness and EX strategies that finally include the frontline at the NexGen Employee Wellness Summit 2025 on October 9–10, 2025, at Park Plaza Victoria, Berlin.
