Frontline workers are the backbone of every industry as they are the customers’ first point of contact, making them vital to a business’s success. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Special Report, 80 percent of the world’s workforce are made up of frontline workers, and that’s roughly around 2 billion workers all over the globe. But while they’ve always been regarded as essential for the smooth flow of daily work processes, more than half of all frontline workers don’t feel valued as employees. In fact, many workers wish that more was being done to prevent exhaustion and burnout, and they also wish for initiatives that could enhance their mental health.
Prioritizing the well-being and safety of your frontline workforce should be a priority since it helps to keep your staff productive, motivated, and happy. Doing so also makes them more likely to practice good attendance and it encourages them to stay. Here are some strategies to boost your frontline workforce’s health and wellbeing.
Provide Tools and Items to Enhance Wellness
Most people think that frontline workers are only those who perform customer service or front desk jobs, but in reality, this title is applicable to other employees in various fields. For instance, in manufacturing and construction, workers who do skilled labor such as carpenters and machine repair specialists, are considered as frontline workers. In hospitality, frontline staff are the housekeepers, handymen, and restaurant servers since they’re the ones who directly engage with customers. Since these jobs require manual labor, they’re more exhausting and more dangerous than the average office or desk job.
Companies should provide frontline employees with the right tools and items to enhance their wellness and safety while they’re working. For instance, construction sites should have drinking water and cups, energy bars, sunscreen, and a fully stocked first aid kit at all times. Hotels and restaurants should provide their housekeeping, maintenance, and repair staff with protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, and disposable masks. Meanwhile, office staff like customer service representatives should be provided with herbal teas and lozenges since their continuous exposure to artificial cooling makes them susceptible to sore throat and other respiratory problems.
Offer Health and Wellness Incentives
Health and wellness incentives can go a long way to empower your frontline employees. Programs geared towards boosting mental and physical health not only reduce absenteeism, but they also increase overall productivity. Before offering any type of incentive, though, talk to your frontline staff to know their needs and interests, which will help you avoid spending on programs that won’t be used. Some of the most popular health incentives include discounts on gym memberships, workshops for stress relief, free wellness screenings, and confidential counseling or referrals to mental health professionals.
Build Resilience and Coping Mechanisms
The nature of their jobs makes frontline workers prone to frustration, anxiety, or depression since they’re the ones who have to deal with difficult, disgruntled, or irate customers. Recognizing the toll of frontline work can create a positive and supportive working environment, so organizations must equip their employees with the right skills and knowledge to deal with the emotional and mental strain of their job. First, see to it that your frontline staff have access to the resources that they need to do their job properly. All their tools should be in working order to prevent delays and deliver exceptional customer service at all times. Next, invest in training programs to enhance their job performance and give them opportunities for career growth.
It’s also vital to encourage frontline workers to prioritize self-care since this can help them cope with stress, build resilience, and avoid burnout. As much as possible, avoid calling them on their rest days, and allow them to devote this time to themselves and their loved ones. You may also refer to special interest groups within your community that your workers may want to join so they can spend their leisure time doing something that they enjoy. Look for art groups, book clubs, gardening groups, hiking or cycling clubs and the like, and let your employees pick the ones that they’re interested in.
Your frontline workforce is essential to your company’s success. Empower your frontline staff by providing them with resources to boost their well-being, and see how it contributes to their overall productivity, health, and happiness.
