Deskless Workers: Everything You Need to Know to Support 80% of the Global Workforce
You might have come across the term “deskless worker” at some point while working recently.
Did you know that deskless workers make up more than 80% of the global workforce? Despite being the majority, these essential employees are often overlooked when it comes to workplace management solutions.
In today's fast-paced world, it's crucial to provide deskless workers with smart mobile solutions that keep them satisfied and productive at work. You also need to provide your a-team with contemporary tools so you can better retain your talent. This is where Taskworld steps in as an invaluable tool for supporting and empowering deskless workers.
What Do We Mean by Deskless Workers?
You can find deskless workers in a wide range of professions, including restaurant servers, retail associates, healthcare workers, field service technicians, delivery drivers, and more. Unlike their desk-bound counterparts, deskless workers’ day-to-day work doesn’t keep them tethered to a main computer. Their work is typically hands-on and involves interacting with customers, clients, or physical equipment. Instead, they rely on mobile devices to access information, communicate with colleagues, and complete tasks on the go.
Challenges Faced by Deskless Workers:
Deskless workers face unique challenges in their day-to-day work. Limited access to company resources and communication channels can hinder productivity and collaboration. Some of the areas where deskless workers might struggle day-to-day include:
Training and Onboarding: Providing comprehensive training and onboarding for new hires in the F&B industry can be challenging for deskless workers, as they may not have dedicated time or resources for training sessions. Ensuring consistent training across different shifts and locations is crucial for maintaining quality standards and customer satisfaction. The onboarding experience for deskless workers is also crucial for retaining talent. Companies who standardize the onboarding process experience a 50% greater new hire retention rate.
Limited Access to Information: Deskless workers in the food and beverage (F&B) industry often lack easy access to important information, such as menu changes, promotions, or updated company policies, as they may not have access to computers or company intranet systems during their shifts.
Communication Struggles: Deskless workers face challenges in communicating with colleagues and managers, particularly during busy periods in a fast-paced environment like a restaurant. They might turn to apps like Line or Whatsap that aren’t controlled by the company for their workplace communication, introducing extra security concerns and chances for personal communication to creep into worktime.
Overly Complex Software Solutions: Organizations often choose software solutions designed for traditional workers at a PC, which may be too complex or cumbersome for deskless workers to use in their fast-paced work environments. These software platforms may require extensive training, have complicated user interfaces, or lack mobile accessibility, making them impractical for deskless workers who need quick and intuitive tools to perform their tasks efficiently.
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Retaining Deskless Workers
Deskless employees are prone to leaving workplaces that don’t provide them with the experience they crave. Keeping them engaged and satisfied with good organizational management software makes a huge difference in who stays. Improving their communication experience increases their retention by 4.5X! In a 2020 survey, 70% of deskless workers say they want more tech solutions to help them do their jobs. Providing them with the solutions they desire will go a long way to ensuring your top talent stays onboard!
The Difference Between Deskless Workers and Remote Workers:
Because both work in non-traditional settings, some confuse deskless workers with remote workers. While deskless workers and remote workers are both integral components of the modern workforce, they operate in distinct environments and face unique challenges. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between these two groups:
Work Environment: Deskless workers perform their duties outside of traditional office settings and are often on the move. They may work in retail stores, restaurants, healthcare facilities, construction sites, or as delivery drivers.
Remote workers, on the other hand, conduct their work from locations outside of the office, such as their homes, co-working spaces, or cafes. They rely heavily on digital tools and communication platforms to collaborate with colleagues and complete tasks.
Connectivity: Deskless workers may have limited access to digital devices or company resources while on the job. They often rely on mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to stay connected and access essential information.
Remote workers have the advantage of consistent internet access and dedicated workspaces equipped with computers and other necessary tools. They can easily communicate with colleagues through email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management platforms.
Task Management: Deskless workers may face challenges in managing tasks and staying organized while on the go. They need solutions that are mobile-friendly and accessible in real time to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and customer requests.
Remote workers have access to a wide range of digital tools and project management platforms that facilitate task management and collaboration. They can create, assign, and track tasks, share documents, and communicate with team members seamlessly from their remote work environments.
Understanding the differences in needs between these two types of workers is essential for implementing effective strategies and providing the necessary support to maximize productivity and success in each role.
Taskworld: A Solution for Deskless Workers:
At Taskworld, we recognize the importance of supporting deskless workers and offer a comprehensive solution that addresses their needs and workstyle. With Taskworld, deskless workers can access the platform from any device – whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or laptop – ensuring seamless connectivity and collaboration regardless of location.
Key Features of Taskworld for Deskless Workers:
Mobile Accessibility: Taskworld's mobile app enables deskless workers to stay connected and productive while on the move. Whether they're on the floor, in the field, traveling a delivery route, or working remotely, they can easily access tasks, messages, and updates.
Task Management: Deskless workers can manage their tasks efficiently using Taskworld's intuitive interface. From assigning and prioritizing tasks to tracking progress and deadlines, Taskworld streamlines task management for enhanced productivity.
Communication Hub: Taskworld serves as a centralized communication hub for deskless workers, allowing them to collaborate with team members, share updates, and exchange information in real time. This fosters teamwork and ensures everyone stays aligned and informed.
Document Management: With Taskworld, deskless workers can access important documents, SOPs, and compliance materials from anywhere, eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork and improving workflow efficiency.
Replacing Emails: Taskworld helps replace emails in the workplace. Messages and feedback can be sent directly on a task, right where they are most needed. This helps remove miscommunications about what needs to be done and when.
Saves Time: With miscommunications eliminated (studies suggest as much as a whole work day is lost due to poor communication) and daily tasks clear, productivity skyrockets and your deskless workers will find themselves with much more time available during shifts.
In Conclusion
Deskless workers play a vital role in driving business operations and serving customers on the front lines. It's essential to equip them with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's digital age. Taskworld offers a smart and intuitive solution designed to support deskless workers and maximize their productivity. By leveraging Taskworld, organizations can empower their deskless workforce and unlock their full potential in the modern workplace.
