5 ways to encourage deskless staff to engage in and use benefits

It can be hard to engage staff who are mobile and possibly don’t have PC access. But here are some ways to get their attention

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Engaging staff in company-wide benefits and initiatives is a key part of any successful business. Engaged staff are more productive, less likely to leave and more likely to create a better culture. However, it’s easier said than done.

Engaging any employee can be a challenge, but it’s especially difficult in deskless industries, such as construction, retail and hospitality. Staff in these businesses, by the nature of their work, are harder to reach, in person or online.

But it doesn’t need to be this way. Here are five ways you to engage frontline workers:

1. Listen to them

No matter how long your company has been operating, there’s no shame in checking with employees to find out what they want and how you can help. Getting it right could increase their engagement and job satisfaction, improve productivity and stop them from leaving.

For example, anonymous surveys will help you find out how staff like to engage with their colleagues and managers.

Do they prefer regular social events or group workshops on useful topics, such as money management? Think about how this can be facilitated if they work remotely or in different locations. Do staff feel supported in their role – and, if not, how could you improve this?

2. Dig into data

One way to engage staff is with a solid benefits scheme. Research shows that employees who are most satisfied with their benefits estimate their level of engagement is 11.5% higher than the average and 25.3% higher than those who are least satisfied.

Review your programme and compare engagement levels across the business, including those who work remotely, frontline staff and desk workers and identify the gaps.

Replace some old offerings that aren’t hitting the mark, with new, more relevant benefits or switch up the mode of delivery, so they have a broader reach. Health and wellbeing benefits, such as gym memberships, mental health support and financial wellbeing programmes, were among the top benefits voted by working adults in the UK.

3. Rethink delivery

Deskless employees are unlikely to engage in benefits that require a computer. So what about delivering benefits through technology they’re already using?

For example, for frontline workers Claro Wellbeing has created a seamless financial wellbeing programme delivered entirely over WhatsApp. This includes the option of WhatsApping a financial coach with money questions, short-form videos, articles and online courses on key personal finance topics, such as budgeting and saving.

4. Get talking

Open up communication channels and encourage feedback and contributions from frontline workers.

Managers should be trained to encourage open conversations and collect the insight of deskless teams, but not everyone feels comfortable speaking in front of a crowd or in person, so think of other ways you can capture feedback, too.

A WhatsApp offering can include anonymous feedback to help shape the service. Not only will the feedback help you develop more engaging strategies, but it will also help your frontline staff feel valued and connected.

5. Appoint an internal champion

An internal champion is a go-to person when implementing changes including new benefits or tools. They believe in the changes and can encourage buy-in from staff, as well as answering questions or discussing concerns.

A person chosen to be an internal champion should be well respected across the company, with authority and a good understanding of your organisation’s operations and processes. They have to be engaged – the exercise is pointless if you force someone to take the role if they don’t want it.

Claro Wellbeing has taken the internal champion initiative one step further. We offer training for Financial First Aiders who can help identify where staff need help with their finances, can encourage open conversations about money in the workplace and offer support.

Putting all these steps into place means your organisation stands the best chance of engaging its frontline workers in your benefits offering. Get in touch at [email protected] and let us know how it goes.