Great Place To Work has just launched a new recognition program in the US that focuses on highlighting companies putting frontline employees’ experience at the core of their workplace culture. The company revealed the idea of creating a “Best Workplaces for Frontline Workers” list during the Great Place To Work For All Summit held in Las Vegas. This list is a tool to capture the voices of the frontline workforces such as hourly and shift-based employees and place their views as a main factor of workplace assessment.
Frontline workers are estimated to constitute about 70% to 80% of the global workforce. Frontline workers play a vital role in various industries such as healthcare manufacturing logistics, and customer service etc. However, these workers are often neglected in terms of benefits, career development opportunities, and access to new technologies. According to some research presented at the conference, nearly 50% of frontline workers feel that there are two separate workplace cultures within their organizations which is becoming a growing issue.
The new recognition program targets these issues by highlighting those organizations which are continually making efforts to enhance the frontline worker’s experience. One of the ways to measure this is through employee comments about factors such as leadership respect pay, career advancement, and work-life balance. Companies appearing on the list show that they are willing to include frontline employees in decision-making, providing them with fulfilling work, and tailoring benefits to fit the realities of their roles.
Also Read: Employee Engagement Remains Stable, but Key Workplace Gaps Persist, McLean & Company Finds
“Frontline workers are the backbone of every business and every economy,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. “When these employees are left out — whether that’s AI access, career growth, or simply being heard — it’s not just a people problem. It’s a business problem. This list exists to recognize the companies that understand that, and to hold up a standard for everyone else.”
The announcement also highlighted a widening gap in AI adoption between executives and frontline teams. While most executives report clear communication and support around AI, significantly fewer frontline employees share that view or have access to the same tools. However, data suggests that those frontline workers who do use AI report lower levels of burnout.
The Best Workplaces for Frontline Workers™ list will recognize organizations across two size categories and is based entirely on employee feedback, reinforcing the importance of listening directly to those who keep businesses running.
