January 12, 2022 Work Trend Index: Special Report Technology Can Help Unlock a New Future for Frontline Workers New data shows that now is the time to empower the frontline with the right digital tools IIllustration by Bernardo HenningWork Trend Index: Special Report Representing 80 percent of the global workforce, no one has borne the burden of the past two years more than the 2 billion frontline workers around the globe. They’ve kept grocery stores stocked, ensured the power grid stayed up and running, provided essential healthcare services, and made and distributed the products the world depends on—all while weathering personal risk and ongoing disruption. And as the world continues to Over the past two years, in order to inform the ways in which our technology solutions can better support our customers’ needs, Microsoft has continued to study how work is changing. Now, as we look ahead to 2022, we’re doing a deep dive on a segment of the workforce that never went home to work—the frontline. survey of 9,600 frontline employees and man- agers in eight industries across ?ve continents. The data helps shed light on the challenges endure economic and pandemic un