Survey: Only 13% of frontline workers see career progression path
Frontline workers report feeling disconnected from culture, excluded from communication, and unsupported in their day-to-day work.
That’s according to a new survey from employee experience platform Workvivo (a Zoom company), which reveals that among food and beverage, retail, manufacturing, transport, and healthcare, 87% of frontline workers are unsure whether their company’s culture applies to them.
One-in-five survey respondents said they have never been recognized for their contributions, while half believe office workers are treated better than frontline workers. Only 13% of frontline workers who want career progression see a clear path forward, and most (54%) would leave their current job for better career opportunities, even if the pay stayed the same.
More than four-in-10 (42%) rate leadership communication as poor. Although 57% want to hear from the CEO directly, nearly half (48%) said company messages feel irrelevant to their work. Nearly half (46%) of those surveyed said they don’t know who their CEO is.
As more and more companies adopt technology, two-thirds (66%) of frontline workers feel frustrated with the communication tools their company provides. Almost half (47%) said the tools feel built for office employees, not people on the front lines.
[READ MORE: Survey: 82% of retail employees feel 'regularly overwhelmed' at work]
“Our research shows that frontline employees feel disconnected not because they care less, but because they are engaged less,” said Gideon Pridor, chief marketing officer & chief storyteller at Workvivo. “To close this critical gap, organizations need to recognize frontline contributions in real time, communicate in ways that are relevant and accessible, and provide clear and visible paths for growth. When employers meet these needs, they improve engagement and create a culture where everyone feels they belong.”
Additional highlights from the survey include the following:
- 52% of frontline workers feel they have fewer growth opportunities than their office colleagues.
- 69% of frontline workers say they want to understand their company’s decisions better.
- 35% of frontline workers say recognizing their individual contributions is the best way to make them feel more valued at work, aside from compensation.
- 38% of frontline workers say being praised in front of peers makes them feel more valued than getting a bonus.
Workvivo’s report is based on a survey of 7,550 frontline workers in the first quarter of 2025, conducted in partnership with research firm TrendCandy.
