WorkBuzz & Personal Group team up to aid deskless workers

WorkBuzz, an employee engagement specialist, and Personal Group have forged a partnership to address the challenges faced by deskless workers. This collaboration seeks to provide these workers, who often feel isolated and voiceless due to inadequate technology, with a better means of communication and feedback.

Deskless workers—ranging from retail associates and restaurant staff to healthcare professionals and construction workers—face unique challenges that impact their engagement and well-being. According to a recent study, 60% of these workers are dissatisfied with the technology provided to them for their jobs. Furthermore, only a diminutive 1% of software venture funding is aimed at improving technology for deskless workers. This disparity leaves a significant portion of the workforce feeling disconnected and unsupported.

The new partnership integrates WorkBuzz's employee engagement surveys with Personal Group's Hapi app, a mobile-first employee benefits platform accessible via both desktop and smartphone. This merger of technologies aims to make it easier for deskless workers to provide feedback to their employers. Workers can now access WorkBuzz's engagement surveys directly from the Hapi app, allowing for a simple and anonymous way to communicate their opinions and ideas.

Karen Thornley, Chief Product and Partnerships Officer at Personal Group, commented on the unique challenges faced by deskless workers. "Despite their significant presence, deskless workers often feel disconnected and sidelined, with depression rates 61% higher than those of desk-based workers. One reason is that they lack a voice and do not feel empowered to influence change. With WorkBuzz's listening technology now accessible from Hapi, deskless workers have an effective means to share their opinions, ensuring they feel listened to and valued," Thornley said.

Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz, explained the importance of considering deskless workers in organisational strategies. "Organisations can't afford to ignore their deskless workers but must ensure they feel considered and appreciated as this improves retention, reduces absence rates, and increases productivity. Our partnership with Personal Group is the perfect alliance, bringing together HR tech and engagement specialists to extend the reach of our surveys while providing deskless workers with a richer employee experience," he stated.

The engagement surveys offered by WorkBuzz vary in scope, from pulse surveys that gauge employee sentiment at a specific point in time to onboarding, exit, and annual surveys. Employers can analyse these insights to create meaningful action plans aimed at improving retention rates, engagement levels, performance, and profitability.

With the integration of WorkBuzz's advanced survey capabilities into the Hapi app, deskless workers now have a streamlined, accessible platform to voice their concerns and suggestions. This development is expected to foster a more inclusive work environment where every employee feels acknowledged and valued.

WorkBuzz and Personal Group will host a joint event titled "The Future of Work: Adapting to the 6G Workforce" on 27 June 2024 at Unity Place, Central Milton Keynes. This event aims to further discuss and address the evolving needs of the modern workforce.