Research Finds that Three in Five Workers Observe Operational Issues Once a Month

SafetyCulture, a global technology company has released its third annual Feedback from the Field report, which gives insight into the views of more than 2,000 ‘frontline workers’ in Australia, the UK and USA.

GALLERY  

This year’s report, Feedback from the Field: Room for Improvement has revealed that three in five (65%) workers observe operational issues monthly, yet less than half (48%) see actions taken to address them. Interestingly, workers in Australia were more likely to spot issues than their UK or US counterparts.

Frontline workers, who constitute a staggering 80% of the global workforce, play a crucial role in our daily lives and the Australian economy, however, they often face challenges in having their voices heard and their needs addressed. The findings reveal a significant gap between what frontline workers desire and what their leaders perceive, highlighting the need for improved communication and engagement.

When it comes to problem-solving and operational improvements, frontline workers overwhelmingly believe that the best ideas for improvement come from their own ranks (49%), not from leadership (23%). Further, 80% say the business they are working in is not operating at full potential.

SafetyCulture chief product officer Sam Byrnes says that it’s important to understand the feedback from the workers: “SafetyCulture was created to help transform the working lives of the 2.7 billion desk-less workers around the world, and tapping into what’s in their hearts and minds helps us do that. The world is changing quickly, so receiving this feedback at a time when we are preparing to launch the next era of SafetyCulture products is crucial.”

The research also found that workers are desperately overdue for valuable training, with more than three in four Aussie frontline workers (77%) believing workplace injuries they’ve witnessed could have been prevented had those involved received better training.

Safety also remains a top priority for frontline workers, with 65% saying they would prioritise their safety over higher salaries.

While challenges persist in the relationship between frontline workers and their leaders, the Feedback from the Field report also offers hope. Two in three (65%) workers are optimistic about the future of their organisations and recognise that with the right tools and communications, businesses have the opportunity to harness the latent potential within their frontline teams.

Image courtesy of Danist Soh, Unsplash.

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