Deskless workers, those operating outside of desk-based office settings, represent a large and essential segment of the global workforce. Their contributions are critical to the success of many organizations, yet managing and retaining these workers presents unique challenges. SHRM and Fidelity Workplace have launched Shaping the Modern Workplace, a research series examining the complexities of managing deskless workers and offering actionable strategies to support them. Retention is a key concern, with 75% of HR professionals reporting that retaining deskless workers is more of a challenge than retaining office desk-based employees. In this session, we will explore the latest research on this critical issue. We’ll examine why deskless workers stay or leave, evaluate the effectiveness of various retention strategies, and provide practical solutions to enable HR professionals and managers to collaborate effectively and reduce turnover.

Learning Outcome 1: Understand Retention Challenges - Learn why retaining deskless workers may be more challenging than retaining office-based employees. Understand the factors influencing their decisions to stay or leave.

Learning Outcome 2: Evaluate Retention Strategies – Gain insights into effective retention strategies for deskless workers, from organizational approaches like benefits to manager-led actions like schedule input.

Learning Outcome 3: Foster Collaboration Between HR and Managers – Attendees will discover actionable ways HR and managers can partner effectively to reduce turnover and create a supportive environment for deskless workers.