Firstup, the pioneer in intelligent workforce communication, has released its Deskless Communication Survey, uncovering critical challenges organizations face in effectively engaging deskless employees. The survey highlights how communication gaps can impact business operations, employee engagement, and overall productivity.
Deskless workers account for 80% of the global workforce, yet their communication needs are often overlooked. As companies navigate workforce transformation, reskilling, and an escalating employee wellness crisis, poor communication can lead to disengagement, inefficiencies, and loss of trust.
1. Frontline Workers Struggle to Access Critical Information
- 32% of deskless employees feel their organization is less effective at communicating with them compared to office-based employees.
- 25% of workers don’t know where to find essential information.
- 22% say there are too many platforms to check for updates.
2. Poor Timing and Irrelevant Messaging Impact Engagement
- 53% of deskless employees say company-wide updates are only somewhat relevant to their roles.
- 21% consider company updates completely irrelevant.
- 39% report that messages arrive at inconvenient times, making them difficult to act on.
3. Overreliance on Email Creates Barriers
- 69% of organizations rely on email for communication.
- 54% of deskless employees have limited access to email.
- 32% feel too busy to engage with company updates, often dismissing emails as non-urgent.
4. Poor Communication Affects Company Culture and Productivity
- 24% of respondents feel disconnected from their company’s culture due to ineffective communication.
- 61% believe that receiving more timely and relevant updates would improve their job performance.
Strategies to Improve Deskless Employee Communication
1. Adopt Mobile-Friendly Communication Channels
- 51% of deskless employees prefer updates via mobile channels, such as text messages and push notifications.
- Organizations must meet employees where they are by prioritizing mobile-first communication strategies.
2. Empower Managers as Key Communicators
- 42% of deskless workers prefer receiving updates directly from their managers.
- Training managers in effective communication and equipping them with the right tools can significantly improve engagement.
3. Implement AI-Driven Intelligent Delivery
- 32% of deskless employees feel their company’s communication is less effective than that of office-based workers.
- 39% cite poor timing as a major barrier.
- AI-powered intelligent delivery ensures employees receive the right information, at the right time, through the right channels.
Organizations that fail to modernize deskless workforce communication risk trust erosion, reduced engagement, and operational inefficiencies. As AI reshapes workplace communication, businesses must prioritize intelligent, mobile-friendly, and personalized updates to keep employees informed and engaged.
“Without timely and relevant communication, organizations risk missing out on critical training, upskilling, and wellness initiatives,” says Nicole Alvino, CEO of Firstup. “Those that prioritize intelligent communication will build resilient, future-ready teams capable of thriving in the AI-driven era.”
