Benefits of Communication Strategies for Deskless Workers

The global workforce has a hidden majority that's often overlooked: deskless workers comprise 80% of workers worldwide, or roughly 2.7 billion individuals, who power essential industries like healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and construction. 

Despite their crucial role, communication with non-desk workers presents unique challenges, including limited access to digital tools, irregular schedules, and fewer face-to-face interactions. 

By proactively addressing non-desk employee communication challenges, companies can foster trust, increase engagement, and reduce turnover in critical frontline departments.

Understanding the Challenges

There are unique challenges in communication and engaging non-desk workers that can prevent them from fully understanding and accessing their benefits.

Limited Access to Communication Channels

The most prevalent challenge is limited access to traditional communication tools. In manufacturing settings, employees on production floors often can't check emails or access company intranets during their shifts. 

Without regular access to digital platforms, important benefits information—from health insurance updates to retirement plan changes—may not reach these workers effectively.

Overcome Schedule and Location Constraints

Irregular schedules and varying work locations create another layer of complexity. Healthcare workers, particularly nurses and support staff, often work long hours or night shifts, making it difficult to attend traditional benefits meetings or training sessions. 

Resolve Language and Cultural Barriers

The diverse nature of the deskless workforce introduces significant language and cultural barriers. Manufacturing plants, for example, often employ workers from various cultural backgrounds who speak different languages. 

This diversity can lead to misunderstandings about benefit offerings and enrollment processes. When benefits communications are primarily available in one language or don't account for cultural differences in understanding workplace benefits, it creates disparities in benefit utilization and employee satisfaction.

These challenges are compounded by the fact that many organizations continue to rely on traditional communication methods. This disconnect puts organizations at risk, as inadequate benefits communication can contribute to worker dissatisfaction and turnover.

Effective Communication Strategies for Deskless Workers

To effectively communicate benefits to deskless workers, you need a multi-channel approach that meets them where they are, utilizing practical tips for HR managers.

Utilize Mobile-First Platforms

Your deskless workforce relies heavily on mobile devices, making mobile-friendly platforms essential for benefits communication

Take Starbucks's approach: they've developed dedicated apps that give employees instant access to benefits information, health plans, and employee discounts. These platforms should deliver information in short, digestible bursts—what experts call "microlearning"—making complex benefits information easier to understand and retain.

Leverage Visual and Verbal Communication Methods

Complex benefits information becomes clearer through visual aids. Create infographics that break down health insurance options, short animated videos explaining retirement plans, or interactive content demonstrating enrollment processes. Complement these visual materials with audio content like recorded explanations or brief podcast-style updates that employees can listen to during breaks or commutes.

Provide Multilingual Resources

In diverse workplaces, language barriers can significantly impact benefits understanding. Manufacturing companies have found success by providing benefits documentation in multiple languages—typically including Spanish, Mandarin, and English. Beyond translated documents, consider:

• Bilingual HR staff for benefits consultations
• Mobile platforms with built-in translation features
• Multilingual benefits hotlines

Conduct In-Person Meetings and Training Sessions

While digital tools are crucial, face-to-face communication remains highly effective. Walmart exemplifies this approach with regular benefits workshops where employees receive personalized assistance with enrollment processes. 

Schedule brief team huddles at shift starts for benefits updates, or organize one-on-one sessions with HR representatives. Personal interactions create opportunities for immediate feedback and questions, helping ensure your workforce fully understands their benefits options.

Leverage Technology to Enhance Communication

Technology plays a crucial role in adapting communication strategies to enhance communication effectiveness for non-desk workers, bridging the communication gap with deskless workers, who make up 80% of the global workforce and lack regular access to traditional corporate communication channels.

Implement SMS-Based Communication Tools

Implementing an SMS/text messaging solution like Yourco, provides a direct and immediate way to reach deskless workers, especially valuable when they lack regular access to email or company intranets. 

This technology proves particularly effective for:

• Delivering time-sensitive updates and shift reminders
• Sending safety alerts and policy changes
• Distributing important company announcements
• Enabling two-way communication for quick feedback

The power of SMS lies in its ubiquity and simplicity—it works on any mobile device, doesn't require internet connectivity, and ensures immediate delivery of critical information. This makes it an ideal channel for maintaining consistent communication with workers across different locations and schedules.

Develop a Centralized Information Hub

Beyond immediate communications, developing a centralized mobile-friendly information hub serves as a comprehensive resource for deskless workers. This digital platform should consolidate:

• Company policies and procedures
• Training materials and resources
• Schedule information
• Important updates and announcements
• Interactive feedback mechanisms

The key to an effective hub is its accessibility—it must be mobile-first and user-friendly, allowing workers to access information whenever and wherever they need it. The platform should support multimedia content, including videos and interactive materials, to accommodate different learning preferences and communication styles.

For maximum effectiveness, this hub should integrate with other communication tools, creating a seamless experience where workers can easily transition between immediate communications, like SMS alerts, and more detailed information in the central platform. This integration helps ensure that all employees, regardless of their location or schedule, remain connected to important company information and updates.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Communication Strategies

To ensure your communication strategies truly reach and engage your deskless workforce, implement a comprehensive approach that combines qualitative and quantitative metrics to provide a complete picture of effectiveness.

Conduct Regular Surveys and Feedback Sessions

Your primary source of qualitative data should come from direct feedback from your deskless workers. Implement regular surveys that assess:

• Clarity and accessibility of benefits information
• Effectiveness of different communication channels
• Understanding of key messages
• Preferred communication methods

Consider using pulse surveys for quick feedback and anonymous comment options to encourage honest responses. Such direct feedback is invaluable for identifying communication gaps and understanding your workforce's needs.

Monitor Engagement Metrics

Complement your qualitative insights with concrete engagement metrics. According to research, highly engaged organizations achieve a 23% difference in profitability, making it crucial to track:

• Participation rates in training sessions and company events
• Usage statistics of mobile communication platforms
• Response rates to communications, considering that 90% of texts are opened within 5 minutes
• Interaction levels with different types of content

Use analytics dashboards to visualize these metrics and identify trends in engagement patterns. Such data helps you understand which communication methods are most effective and where adjustments are needed.

By combining qualitative feedback with quantitative metrics, you can create an iterative improvement process. Use these insights to refine your communication strategies, adjust your channels, and enhance message delivery methods. Regular monitoring of these metrics ensures your communication strategy remains effective and continues to serve your deskless workforce's evolving needs.

Foster A Direct Connection With Yourco

When you want a communication solution that remains simple, efficient, and highly effective, Yourco can make all the difference. As the #1 SMS-based employee app built for non-desk employees, Yourco delivers continuous, real-time engagement that cuts through the noise and keeps your workforce connected—no emails or complicated mobile apps required. Instead of requiring specialized devices or software, Yourco uses text messaging to convey crucial updates, benefits information, shift reminders, and more. Your workforce can respond quickly, ensuring clear two-way communication that fosters trust and boosts morale.

By utilizing a straightforward platform that operates on any mobile phone, Yourco streamlines access to essential details like benefits enrollment deadlines, policy changes, and safety alerts. This helps you address the communication gaps that so often lead to confusion or low engagement. If your HR team needs to distribute plan information or gather feedback, Yourco’s SMS-based approach ensures immediate visibility with minimal effort. In a world where scheduling hurdles and busy shifts can hinder timely conversations, Yourco’s direct messaging keeps everyone in the loop, helping you retain a competent, dedicated workforce that feels supported.

Try Yourco for free today or schedule a demo and see the difference the right workplace communication solution can make in your company.