Frontline workers face immense day-to-day pressure, where their roles see them struggle with high-risk, high workload conditions that often exacerbate mental health and wellbeing issues.
Increasingly, organisations are looking to invest in technology solutions that will create real, positive impact for workers, while promoting a better sense of wellbeing and improved productivity.
Core Technology Systems recently carried out research into the experiences of workers on the frontline across a wide variety of sectors, including local government, healthcare, education, retail and not-for-profit, discovering that a huge proportion – 72% - would welcome the introduction of technology that would improve their work/life balance, and make it easier for them to do their jobs.
Given the specific issues faced by those on the frontline, for any technological solution to succeed, it must be focused on the unique experience of these workers. Our research, for example, revealed that many frontline workers struggle with feeling disconnected from their organisations as a whole when they are working remotely or in the field, with 57% confirming that access to a platform that kept them connected with video chat, calls and instant messaging would help them feel more engaged.
Social interactions form a vital part of frontline workers' jobs, and nearly two thirds of the workers we surveyed [59%], reported feeling cut-off and isolated. This is of particular importance, as increasing isolation comes with increased stress and a larger risk of burnout in what are already-demanding roles.
Microsoft Viva puts this concern at the forefront. Not only does its platform act as a central “hub” of activities across the entire organisation, but specific solutions such as Viva Engage are designed to provide the ability for workers on the frontline to share and access just-in-time info with colleagues, team members and supervisors.
With burnout and poor mental health an ever-present risk on the frontline, it is – therefore - unsurprising, though telling, that our research discovered 71% of workers supported the introduction of technology solutions that would provide senior management with better solutions to address staff wellbeing.
The end-to-end solution offered by Viva aims to do precisely this. With Viva Insights, workers are empowered to set time aside for deep, focused work without the drain of back-to-back meetings and other distractions that result in lower productivity and increased stress. Viva Learning allows the targeting of specific training for frontline workers, enabling them to grow their skills and develop within their roles.
Additionally, Viva places a particular emphasis on not only providing the tools frontline workers need, but also on the privacy of individual access to personal accounts, meaning frontline workers can engage in the support, wellbeing and mental health resources available to them in confidence, thus removing any stigma around seeking mental health support.
One of the biggest roadblocks to providing technology solutions for frontline workers is a lack of awareness around what is available, or solutions being confusing and poorly communicated to those they are intended to help.
This is of huge concern, as workers on the frontline have increasingly been under-served by technological solutions when compared with office-based colleagues. Viva provides a solution that is at once fully integrated into the core functions required by the frontline, while also being clear and accessible. Whether this is a retail worker who wants to be able to easily check their shifts, or a healthcare worker with irregular shifts wanting to access resources outside of the usual 9 – 5, Viva is designed to accommodate these needs.
Frontline workers are able to carry out their tasks more effectively and efficiently, boosting overall productivity and, most importantly, safeguarding their time and wellbeing.
If you would like to find out how we can help your organisation get the most out of an investment in Microsoft Viva, check out our workshops or email hello@core.co.uk to find out more.