New research highlights ongoing challenges faced by UK’s ‘deskless’ industries post-pandemic.
- 59% of workers report negative impacts on business operations due to lingering pandemic effects.
- Employee dissatisfaction is prevalent, with reduced motivation, productivity, and workplace happiness.
- Policy changes post-pandemic, such as increased online training, fail to meet employee needs.
- The need for in-person interaction and training is critical for restoring employee satisfaction and business efficiency.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left a significant mark on ‘deskless’ industries in the UK, such as manufacturing, care, construction, and retail. According to recent research, 59% of workers in these sectors report that the pandemic’s lasting effects are negatively impacting their business operations. This poses a potential threat to the vitality of UK industries if not addressed.
A considerable 30% of employees now view their workplaces as less efficient due to pandemic-related responses. Furthermore, over a third, specifically 37%, feel their work experience has diminished compared to pre-2020 days. Among the reasons cited are staff shortages (51%), reduced in-person training (37%), poorer communication (36%), less training overall (32%), and limited development opportunities (26%). These factors contribute to a notable decrease in employee motivation, satisfaction, and productivity.
The research underscores that 53% of workers feel less motivated, and 32% report unhappiness at the workplace, with 31% experiencing decreased productivity. Alarmingly, 20% are contemplating leaving their current roles, and 17% are considering exiting their industries altogether. This scenario poses a severe threat to sectors already struggling with skill shortages.
The study reveals that during the pandemic, 85% of businesses implemented new policies for deskless workers, with 80% of these companies having continued some practices. Changes like Zoom calls and online training have been incorporated widely. Although 76% of employees support video calls over phone communications, and 61% laud reduced meetings, there remains dissatisfaction due to halted activities like team gatherings and in-person training.
Remarkably, 84% of employees wish for the return of certain pre-pandemic activities, primarily in-person training, which they find crucial after the pandemic disrupted training provisions. A striking 73% of workers note their access to training has been adversely affected, with 26% observing decreased opportunities and 11% witnessing a complete halt in training offerings.
The shift towards online training, although adopted by many employers, is met with discontent. Among employees experiencing this shift, 85% indicate negative repercussions, with 39% finding sessions dull and 34% feeling that training has become merely procedural. More concerning is that 28% report worse information retention from online formats, and only 20% see online training as beneficial to their careers. This dissatisfaction is compounded by a sense of reduced employer value, as expressed by over 10% of employees.
The CEO of Cloud Assess, Rob Bright, noted, “Lockdown hangovers are clearly hindering deskless industries in the UK. Despite tight resources, maintaining in-person engagement and training is crucial for long-term success.” He highlighted the false economy of e-learning, emphasizing that while it may appear time-efficient, it often fails to effectively upskill employees, which could undermine the long-term growth and stability of UK businesses.
Addressing the pandemic’s long-term impact on deskless workers is crucial to revitalizing UK industry’s growth and efficiency.
