A recent survey by Flip app shows that 21% of frontline workers in the UK admit to operating at minimal effort levels, with many planning to stay in their roles long-term. The report highlights the trend of demotivation, particularly within manufacturing, where 52% of employees confess to doing just enough to retain their jobs.
This issue appears rooted in specific workplace issues, the most significant of which is a lack of employee recognition. While 72% of workers who are satisfied with their jobs feel appreciated, a sharp contrast emerges among dissatisfied employees, with only 4% feeling valued. Additional challenges include poor working conditions and ineffective communication, with gaps of 66 and 63 percentage points, respectively, between satisfied and dissatisfied respondents.
“Frontline workers are the lifeblood of the economy, yet our research finds that many of them feel demotivated and stuck, facing uncertain career prospects, stress, and poor support structures,” said Benedikt Brand, CEO of Flip.
Moreover, stress and burnout have a major influence on motivation levels, with 61% of employees experiencing these problems at least once a month. Alarmingly, 21% report facing such pressures multiple times a week. Despite these challenges, only 30% feel adequately supported by their managers during tough times, highlighting a significant gap in workplace leadership.
In addition, the impact of poor communication cannot be understated, as over half (55%) of respondents believe it directly affects their productivity and work quality. While frontline workers are pivotal to the economy, many feel stuck and undervalued.
However, the findings also indicate clear opportunities for employers to close the motivation gap. For example, while only 43% of respondents feel their contributions are valued, 88% of those who do feel appreciated are willing to exceed expectations at work. Furthermore, building strong interpersonal connections could be crucial in boosting morale.
Over half (56%) of workers identified positive relationships with colleagues as a critical driver of wellbeing, followed by job security (49%) and predictable working hours (43%). Good relationships with managers (42%) also ranked highly.
With more than two in five disengaged workers planning to remain in their jobs for at least three years, the onus is on employers to act. Strategies prioritising recognition, support, and communication could transform disengaged employees into motivated contributors, ultimately benefiting workers and businesses.