Opening Arguments with Dani Johnson and Stacia Garr
by Dani Johnson and Stacia Garr | June 13th, 2023
Welcome back to our ninth season! We are excited about these upcoming episodes. In this season, Stacia and Dani focus on the frontline by discussing frontline workers with thought leaders from many organizations across various industries.
Frontline workers have typically been a part of the workforce that has been swept under the rug, but during the pandemic, they were thrust to the forefront of people’s minds.
In this season we’ll discuss how to define a frontline worker, how to lead them, how to engage with them, and how to help them plan their career path.
What defines a frontline worker
While we don’t have a specific definition of frontline workers, we rely more on what people call themselves. One way to refer to frontline workers is by describing them as deskless workers. Frontline workers range from doctors and nurses, to grocery store employees, to miners, and delivery drivers. They are the people who keep things moving in our society.
Frontline workers are often the first, and sometimes the only, interaction that people have with a company, so ensuring they are well-trained to represent the organization is essential.
This part of the labor market is in high demand which is why we wanted to focus on them this season.
Our focus this season
Attitudes about frontline workers have shifted since the pandemic, so we now treat them less like cogs in a machine. Recently, organizations have begun to pay more attention to their well being, engagement, and their longevity within the organization.
This season will focus on what is different about this sector of the workforce, their relationship with the customer, and how to address the specific issues they face.
Typically, organizations haven't given much thought to frontline workers since they tend to stay with the company for a shorter period of time. However, over the past few years, the balance of power has shifted and frontline workers understand that. Frontliners now understand that they have more value. Due to that fact, in many places the minimum wage has increased, but even so, organizations have struggled to hire and retain frontline workers.
Don’t miss this season!
You won’t want to miss the conversations this season. We have an exciting and diverse lineup of guests that range from companies like Accuity, Cargill, and Rotana Hotels. With them, we’ll be exploring the systems, structures, and processes that can work to engage and keep frontline workers longer.
After listening to a few episodes, you may want to learn more about the research we’ve been doing surrounding frontline workers. Check out our community membership to discover what you can learn from our tools and research.
Resources and People Mentioned
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