Front-line workers say pay and flexibility are top 2026 priorities
Summary
A global UKG survey of more than 8,000 front-line workers across 10 countries finds pay, scheduling flexibility and having a voice at work top their 2026 concerns. The report highlights widespread burnout (over three-quarters in 2025), financial strain (56% living from paycheque to paycheque, down from 64% in 2024) and a strong sense of a two-tier workplace culture. Workers also cited limited promotion pathways and gaps in upskilling, though some manufacturing staff reported learning new skills — including AI-related ones.
Key Points
- Survey covers 10 countries and more than 8,000 front-line workers; front-line roles represent roughly 70–80% of workforces globally.
- Top priorities for 2026 are higher pay, scheduling flexibility and greater employee voice.
- Over 75% of front-line employees reported burnout in 2025; 56% said they were living from paycheque to paycheque (improved from 64% in 2024).
- Nearly half (47%) see two separate workplace cultures: one for front-line staff and one for others.
- Scheduling is a major retention factor: many find last-minute shift changes difficult and 57% say they cannot take enough time off (58% in hospitality say schedules harm their health).
- Upskilling remains limited: 20% say there aren’t enough learning opportunities, though 36% in manufacturing reported gaining new skills, including AI.
Why should I read this?
Because if you manage people who actually make your business run, this is the short, sharp list of fixes they want: pay, decent schedules and a voice. Skip it at your peril — poor pay and rigid rostering are costing retention and morale right now.
Context and relevance
This study matters because front-line employees make up the bulk of the global workforce and are crucial to customer experience and operations. For HR and business leaders, the findings point to clear levers for improving retention: competitive pay, flexible scheduling systems and clearer career pathways. The data also ties into broader 2026 trends such as pay transparency, mental health and targeted upskilling — including AI training in some sectors — which organisations must factor into workforce planning.
Author style
Punchy: Front-line workers are the backbone of operations. Ignoring their demands for pay and flexibility is a fast route to higher turnover and lower service quality — this piece distils the essentials you need to act on.
