Life is getting tougher for workers on the frontlines of many essential industries, a new report by SafetyCulture reveals, with almost two in three (66%) UK frontline workers saying the challenges and pressure they face at work has increased in the last 12 months.
Nearly a third of those surveyed said they’re under ‘intense pressure’ at work, and over three quarters (76%) of UK frontline workers feel they have been under increased pressure at home during the last 12 months.
SafetyCulture’s Feedback from the Field report represents the views of British, American, and Australian “frontline workers” – individuals who must “physically show up to their job”, including the likes of hospitality, retail, manufacturing, healthcare and logistics workers.
The cost-of-living crisis, compounded with the lingering effects of the pandemic, is causing continued staff shortages, unaffordable costs to businesses and a decrease in consumer spending. These pressures have come to a head for many UK workers on the frontline of businesses. Alarmingly, more than half of the frontline workforce (54%) said if they had the opportunity, they would leave frontline work altogether.
Feedback from the Field revealed frontline workers are facing unnecessary pressure due to:
- Funding their own safety – Almost four in ten (38%) frontline workers had to spend their own money to stay safe at work during the last 12 months. It is estimated that in the UK, frontline workers have spent £1.66 bn on this in the last 12 months (an average of £250 per worker).
- Avoidable workplace injuries – one in five (20%) workers said they have experienced workplace injury due to inadequate processes or communication, while one in four (25%) know a colleague who has.
- Bad processes, tech and tools – four in ten (40%) workers said they’d like to see greater investment by their employer in technology to improve processes, efficiency and safety. While 63% of UK workers said they don’t have a say in the technology and tools they use at work.
Commenting on the findings, Niamh Keane, Head of UK, SafetyCulture said: “Encouragingly, over three-quarters of UK workers say they’re proud of the work they do and the contribution their work makes to society. It’s imperative, therefore, that businesses do everything they can to ensure this number continues to grow. Unfortunately, with budgets being cut and staff shortages ongoing, there’s a growing expectation for frontline workers to do more with less – which leaders need to address.
“When it comes to frontline work, many businesses still rely on manual, time-intensive and inefficient processes that only add to the pressure on their workers. The good news is that it’s not too late to address these issues – and businesses can start taking simple steps, which should help prevent more staff exits before it’s too late.
“Small investments in technology – like shifting from ‘outdated’ paper-based and dependent checks to more modern ways of working, like digital inspections or introducing mobile-based training – can make a significant difference, help alleviate the mental load and increase operational efficiencies.”
