What Are the Most Effective Ways to Engage With Non-Desk Employees?

Given the current job market and the nature of your business, labor shortages are a constant concern. This makes employee retention and engagement more important than ever. Non-desk workers are crucial to your business, yet only 25% are actively engaged at work, according to a Gallup poll. These employees are on the shop floor, making deliveries, or working in factories, making it difficult for you to reach them. They don’t have time for long emails or access to employee intranets. 

Without a tailored internal communication strategy, you can’t be sure they understand safety procedures, employee benefits, or company values. Non-desk workers need a communication platform that is accessible and easy to read, ensuring they stay informed and engaged.

These are the top three communication strategies you should consider to keep an engaged non-desk workforce:

1. Go Digital with Your Safety Protocols

In a non-desk setting, workplace safety and emergency preparedness are critical. Relying on physical retrieval of safety information during emergencies is inadequate. Use SMS to send urgent push notifications. This allows you to quickly alert employees of dangerous conditions or changes in safety procedures, ensuring immediate attention and response.

2. Encourage Bottom-Up, Two-Way Communication Across Locations

Your communication strategy should facilitate bottom-up and cross-functional communications. New employees typically seek guidance from direct managers or peers rather than the corporate office. Therefore, it’s essential to enable communication across different levels and locations to spread tips and best practices effectively. By encouraging feedback from frontline employees, you can foster a culture of continuous improvement and enhance employee retention.

3. Reward and Recognize Top Performers

Public recognition boosts engagement and productivity. Non-desk workers often lack contact with higher-ups and receive praise only from direct managers. Public acknowledgment can significantly motivate them and others. Recognized employees are 63% less likely to job hunt. With Yourco, you can now send personalized SMS recognitions and public shoutouts, reinforcing a culture of appreciation and boosting morale.

Contact us to set up a demo, or  try it out for free today.