Divide between deskless and office-based workers threatens company culture, reveals latest Perkbox Vivup report

Vivup and Perkbox, two leading names in employee wellbeing and benefits, recently announced their merger to form a specialist company that supports over 4 million employees across 7,500 organisations, including 85% of the NHS.

Both founders, Simon Moyle and Chieu Cao, are alumni of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, a testament to the entrepreneurial talent shaping this transformative partnership.

Beyond their merger, the two companies have recently released a powerful report, Bridging the Gap, shedding light on disparities between deskless and office-based employees. As the world of work evolves, the study explores the tensions, perceptions, and solutions for creating an equitable workplace culture in industries with mixed workforce dynamics.

Key Insights from Bridging the Gap

The research surveyed 1,000 employees across sectors like manufacturing, retail, transportation, and construction to uncover how differences in work environments shape employee satisfaction and experiences. The findings reveal significant disparities:

• Recognition and Visibility: 55% of respondents believe office-based employees receive more recognition for their efforts than deskless workers. This is compounded by perceptions of higher status (60%) and job security (53%) for office-based roles.

• Flexibility Divide: Interestingly, deskless employees reported having greater flexibility (65%) in managing tasks, but this was contrasted by their more limited access to resources and decision-making power.

• Call for Parity: Nearly a third of employees (30%) feel deskless workers should receive greater workplace benefits to balance the lack of flexibility and recognition.

Driving Employee Satisfaction Across All Roles

The report goes beyond identifying issues to offer actionable solutions for creating parity. Vivup and Perkbox emphasise the importance of:

1. Recognition and Reward: Businesses must invest in tools that offer consistent and meaningful recognition for all employees, regardless of location. Customisable reward systems empower workers to choose benefits that matter most to them.

2. Communication: Transparent and consistent communication channels—whether physical noticeboards, digital platforms, or company-wide meetings—are essential for fostering inclusion and unity.

3. Support for Wellbeing: Addressing both financial and emotional wellbeing is critical. Programmes like Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and tailored financial benefits help create a holistic support system for employees.

These strategies are designed to help organisations not only meet the needs of a diverse workforce but also position themselves as attractive employers in a competitive talent market.

A Blueprint for Change

The findings from Bridging the Gap highlight the pressing need for businesses to adopt a more inclusive and balanced approach to workplace culture.

With Bridging the Gap, Vivup and Perkbox underscore their leadership in tackling one of the most significant challenges of modern workplaces: bridging the divide between deskless and office-based employees. As the merged group moves forward, their findings and strategies promise to redefine how businesses approach equity, engagement, and wellbeing.

For the full findings and ebook click here