Low pay and inflexible work schedules are driving frontline employees to consider leaving their jobs, according to a 10-country survey of more than 8,000 workers released by UKG.
The study found 56 per cent of frontline workers reported living paycheque to paycheque in 2025, down from 64 per cent in 2024. Low pay remained the top reason employees would quit, with 51 per cent of workers in non-acute healthcare systems citing it as their primary concern.
Frontline workers — employees who must be physically present to perform their jobs — represent nearly 80 per cent of the global workforce, according to the company.
Scheduling flexibility drives retention decisions
After compensation, work schedule flexibility emerged as the second most important factor influencing whether employees stay or leave, the survey found. Half of respondents said it’s difficult to change shifts when personal issues arise, and 57 per cent reported they can’t take as much time off as they’d like.
Fifty-eight per cent of hospitality frontline employees said their schedules make it impossible to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The research also found 76 per cent of frontline employees reported burnout in 2025, and nearly half said there are two separate workplace cultures in their organizations — one for frontline staff and one for everyone else.
Career advancement remains limited
Twenty-eight per cent of respondents cited lack of career advancement opportunities as a reason they would leave their current employer. Among government workers, 32 per cent said there isn’t an opportunity for promotion, compared with 22 per cent of education employees.
Recognition and benefits gaps also factored into retention challenges. Twenty-six per cent of employees cited lack of recognition or rewards and lack of benefits as drivers for leaving their roles. In retail specifically, 29 per cent reported insufficient benefits and 27 per cent said they lack recognition for their efforts.
Skills development concerns persist
Twenty per cent of frontline employees said there aren’t enough opportunities to learn new skills at their workplace. Among manufacturing workers, 36 per cent reported learning new skills, including AI-related capabilities, to prove their value and avoid being replaced by technology.
“Knowing the underlying pain points frontline employees are facing, such as lack of flexibility and visibility of work schedules, challenges building skills needed for advancement, and general financial strain are crucial to understand,” said Rachel Barger, president of go-to-market at UKG.
The survey covered frontline employees in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, Mexico and Ireland across retail, hospitality and food service, healthcare, logistics and distribution, manufacturing, public sector, and field and contract services.
Research firm Walr conducted the survey between May 29 and July 13, 2025.
