Back to Resources
How to engage and retain offline workers
Shrink the online-offline belonging gap
Updated on January 31, 2025
This resource is brought to you by:
Topics Covered:
Frontline and deskless workers
Are you struggling to engage and retain your offline workforce? With labor shortages on the rise, finding ways to support and connect with these essential employees has never been more important. Yet, many HR leaders find that traditional engagement strategies aren’t doing enough for frontline and on-site workers.
So, how can you create an environment where offline employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay? It starts with fostering a culture of belonging.
Why does belonging matter for offline workers?
Belonging is the No. 1 reason offline workers stay in their current roles, according to research from Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI). Yet, with 66% of HR leaders reporting that the labor shortage is getting worse, retaining this critical workforce has never been more important.
The good news? HR leaders can take simple, data-driven steps to close this gap. The Ultimate Guide to Engaging and Retaining Offline Workers breaks down the key drivers of belonging and provides actionable insights to help foster deeper engagement and loyalty across your workforce.
Offline workers are less likely to feel a strong sense of belonging
The Achievers Workforce Institute Belonging Model TM identifies five actionable pillars that drive belonging. According to AWI research, offline workers lag behind online workers in every pillar.
| Online workers | Offline workers | |
|---|---|---|
| I feel warmly welcomed at my company | 38% | 27% |
| I feel known as an individual at my company | 31% | 28% |
| I feel included at work | 32% | 25% |
| I am supported at work in achieving my personal and professional development goals | 29% | 22% |
| I feel a strong connection with peers and colleagues | 29% | 24% |
*Source: AWI HR Preparedness Report
Discover the strategies that drive real results
So, what are the most effective ways to engage and retain offline workers? AWI has identified three key drivers that strengthen belonging — recognition, flexibility, and feedback. These proven strategies can help you build a more connected, committed workforce while tackling retention challenges head-on.
Find out how to put these strategies into action by downloading The Ultimate Guide to Engaging and Retaining Offline Workers.
Join our mailing list
Stay up to date with the latest in workforce science from Achievers Workforce Institute.
