Frontline workers who can't work from home are fighting for more control over their schedules

• Many frontline workers are demanding more flexibility in determining their schedules.
• These workers may not have remote capabilities but want more of a say in what days they work.
• New data shows the fight among frontline workers for better pay and independence hasn't slowed much.

Over the last few months, many workers have strived for a flexible hybrid schedule. But many of those who lack that freedom are looking for another type of flexibility: time.

New research from Gallup reveals that frontline workers, or employees who provide essential goods and services to their communities, are fighting for more schedule flexibility and the ability to set their own hours. Gallup compared 2022 and 2023 web surveys of 16,586 and 18,871 US workers respectively.

The pandemic changed the culture of work in the US, as many more workers developed a thirst for organizing, so-called anti-work attitudes, and "slowing up," a shift in slowing down productivity to achieve more separation from work. Many Americans quit their jobs since 2021, citing desires for higher pay, better protections, and stronger work-life balances. Many others "reshuffled," or moved into roles that better fit their lifestyle or pay expectations.

For many Americans, the issue goes beyond where to work and focuses on when. Nearly three-fifths of US workers can't adopt hybrid work due to the in-person nature of their jobs, and on average, these on-site, non-remote-capable workers are less engaged (29%) than fully remote or hybrid workers (38%), according to the Gallup survey.

Gallup researchers found that frontline workers aren't regretting not having the benefits of remote or hybrid work. Around 57% of on-site, non-remote-capable workers reported being "not at all" bothered that they have to work in-person while many others can work from home.

Instead, the push has come from wanting more time flexibility, particularly when it comes to choosing the days they work.

According to the survey, frontline workers overall preferred having the ability to select what days to work, alongside more PTO and a four-day workweek. Workers were less enthused by having the ability to choose their hours, such as more flexible start and end times and shorter shift lengths. Workers also seemed to not value a relaxed dress code and the ability to work on-site at any location as highly.

Often, these worker preferences differ from what their bosses think they want, leading to further hits to employee engagement.

This result echoes a McKinsey study from 2022 that found frontline employees on the whole want tangible benefits such as higher pay and more job growth opportunities. Additionally workers want more job growth and learning opportunities.

However, employers tend to think workers want intangible benefits, such as recognition for doing good work. Employers also value vacation and sick time, as well as higher job titles, more than their employees, but they undervalue pay.

Pay among service workers in particular is still a hotly debated topic, as well over a dozen states still have the tipped minimum wage at the federal minimum of $2.13 an hour, provided workers make $7.25 an hour with tips included. Some restaurants are forgoing tips and instead increasing wages to attract workers, especially with hundreds of thousands quitting over poor working conditions and pay.

Still, frontline workers in fields such as healthcare have seen increased remote work benefits over the last year, such as policies allowing healthcare workers to complete paperwork at home to reduce stress and improve job satisfaction.

Are you a frontline worker who wants more flexibility at your job? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com.