December 3, 2022Frontline workers are the backbone of an organization, and recent years have only re-emphasized the importance of delivering these employees a more meaningful working experience. Often, a divide exists between what frontline workers truly want and what their employers think they do—and it’s not enough to only reconsider pay. Research from partners Monne Williams and Bryan Hancock and senior partner Lareina Yee found that while three in four frontline workers want to be promoted, only one in four will achieve it. If companies aren’t willing to invest in their people, they will watch them leave instead. Explore our collection of insights on the frontline experience to learn about the unique impact of race on frontline workers, how to curtail attrition in retail employees, and how to support advancement where it matters most. Bridging the advancement gap: What frontline employees want—and what employers think they want Will a labor crunch derail plans to upgrade US infrastructure? Race in the workplace: The frontline experience The Great Attrition in frontline retail—and what retailers can do about it For many Americans, economic opportunity seems increasingly out of reach Around the world, nurses say meaningful work keeps them going Network effects: How to rebuild social capital and improve corporate performance Taking a skills-based approach to building the future workforce Meet the psychological needs of your people—all your people More from McKinsey Making work meaningful from the C-suite to the frontline Three actions to boost frontline engagement and retention When the grass is truly greener: How companies are retaining frontline talent Tearing the ‘paper ceiling’: McKinsey supports effort driving upward mobility for millions of workers