Frontline workers are the backbone of many businesses, making up 80-90% of the global workforce. These essential workers are everywhere – from healthcare and retail to manufacturing and food service – and they keep our economy and society running smoothly. Despite their critical role, they’re facing added pressures from labor shortages, inflation, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic. These pressures are even tougher for those with child care and elder care responsibilities, as they juggle work and home life. It’s no surprise that these challenges affect not only the workers but also the organizations they work for.

A new whitepaper, Supporting the Backbone: Meeting Frontline Workforce Needs, shares insights from over 3,000 frontline workers on the urgent need to address frontline worker’s caregiving challenges.

The findings from Lighthouse Research & Advisory reveal the critical intersections of caregiving, job satisfaction, and organizational outcomes.

Key insights from the whitepaper

• Physical presence and caregiving strain: Frontline workers with dependents face the extra challenge of balancing work with child care or elder care responsibilities, while needing to be on-site. Parents in these roles are 25 percent more likely to report happiness at work due when they have benefits that support their family.
• Financial hardship: Rising costs and inflation add extra stress for frontline employees who have caregiving responsibilities. With 80% of frontline workers feeling the pinch, paying for quality caregiving services can seem impossible. Interestingly, working parents in frontline roles are 150% more likely to choose jobs at companies that offer child care or parental care benefits.
• Lifecycle challenges: Caregiving challenges touch every part of an employee's journey, from choosing a job and scheduling their day-to-day to staying with a company long-term. The availability of child care is a big factor for workers when considering a role. Jobs that offer on-site child care, back-up care, or subsidies stand out.
• Flexibility and support: Flexibility is key for frontline workers. When caregiving support matches up with flexible scheduling, employees can better juggle their personal and professional lives.

HR leaders play a crucial role in tackling these challenges. By truly understanding and addressing the needs of frontline workers with caregiving responsibilities, organizations can significantly boost employee well-being. This not only helps create a more loyal, engaged, and productive workforce but also enhances overall operational stability and customer satisfaction.

Download Supporting the Backbone: Meeting Frontline Workforce Needs.