Frontline workers are the backbone of an organization, and recent years have only re-emphasized the importance of delivering these employees a more meaningful working experience. Often, a divide exists between what frontline workers truly want and what their employers think they do—and it’s not enough to only reconsider pay. Research from partners Monne Williams and Bryan Hancock and senior partner Lareina Yee found that while three in four frontline workers want to be promoted, only one in four will achieve it. If companies aren’t willing to invest in their people, they will watch them leave instead. Explore our collection of insights on the frontline experience to learn about the unique impact of race on frontline workers, how to curtail attrition in retail employees, and how to support advancement where it matters most.
Bridging the advancement gap: What frontline employees want—and what employers think they want
Will a labor crunch derail plans to upgrade US infrastructure?
Race in the workplace: The frontline experience
The Great Attrition in frontline retail—and what retailers can do about it
For many Americans, economic opportunity seems increasingly out of reach
Around the world, nurses say meaningful work keeps them going
Network effects: How to rebuild social capital and improve corporate performance
Taking a skills-based approach to building the future workforce
Meet the psychological needs of your people—all your people
More from McKinsey
Making work meaningful from the C-suite to the frontline
Three actions to boost frontline engagement and retention
When the grass is truly greener: How companies are retaining frontline talent