What is a Frontline Worker?
We get this question quite often — “What defines a frontline worker?”
The answer, regardless of industry, is someone who must be present to do their job. Commonly referred to as the “deskless workforce” they are often the first human connection the public and/or customer makes with a company.
Frontline workers put a face to the brand of their respective organizations and they often fulfill roles that are recognized as critical for the well-being of their communities and economies.
Depending on how you cut the data, the frontline workforce makes up roughly 60-80% of the workforce in the United States.
Even though industries vary greatly, there are often similarities to their dreams and goals. On the flip side, there’s shocking alignment in their frustrations and barriers to growth.
Here are some examples of frontline workers — by no means it this list exhaustive …. but it gives you a good idea.
Food and Agriculture:
Restaurant workers, chefs and waitstaff
Bartenders
Hospitality workers
Housekeepers,
Front desk agents
Agriculture workers
Physical plant maintenance, and repair workers
Retail:
Retail sales associates
Cashiers
Beauty therapists
Industrial, Commercial, Residential Facilities and Services:
Building managers
IT support teams
Transportation:
Bus and train drivers
Rideshare and taxi drivers
Flight crews
Ticket agents
Baggage handlers
Transport security
Emergency Medical Services:
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
Police
Firefighters:
Military personnel
Healthcare:
Nurses
Doctors
Hospital workers
Pharmacists & pharmaceutical workers
Retail:
Cashiers
Sales associates
Grocery stockers
Sales reps
Buyers
Delivery drivers
Education:
Teachers
Counselors
Nutrition and support staff
School nurses
Administrators.
Financial Services:
Bank tellers
Customer service representatives
Couriers
Security personnel
Manufacturing & Construction:
Assembly line workers
Quality control inspectors
Warehouse workers
Supply chain managers
Machine repair technicians
Site managers and construction workers.
Warehouse associates
Truck drivers
Community-based Services:
Energy sector employees
Water and wastewater management employees
Chemical manufacturers
Janitorial sanitation teams
Waste collectors
