According to ANO “People of Labor”, created to protect and support workers of mass personnel in Russia, such personnel make up a significant part of the working-age population and ensure the uninterrupted operation of key industries – from logistics and retail to housing and communal services and industry. However, in public perception, the work of these people is often perceived as insignificant, temporary or low-skilled. Meanwhile, it is this segment of employment that largely determines the stability of the economy and requires a revision of attitudes at all levels.
Who are the “people of labor”
When mentioning mass personnel, we are usually not talking about dozens, but about millions of workers. These are production line operators, packers, pickers, couriers, cashiers, cleaners, security guards, promoters, waiters and representatives of other professions that support everyday social life.
Many of these employees work around the clock, on their feet all day, in conditions of high physical and emotional stress. Their work is often invisible, but extremely significant: products arrive in stores, goods move around the country, orders are delivered on time, call centers respond to customer requests, offices and trading floors remain clean.
Why mass labor is undervalued
The idea that such professions are a temporary choice or a forced measure is firmly rooted in the mass consciousness. This perception is formed from several factors:
- Minimum requirements at the entrance. Often, you can get such positions without specialized education or extensive experience. This creates the illusion of “simplicity” and reduces the status in the eyes of society.
- Formal approach from employers. Mass personnel is often considered as an expendable resource: high turnover, simplified hiring processes, weak training and adaptation system.
- Lack of career prospects. For many employees, the horizon of professional growth is not obvious, which means that there is no internal motivation to develop within the profession.
As a result, both public opinion and management decisions often ignore the real value of this work.
Why a reassessment of the mass personnel role is necessary
Global and Russian practice shows that sustainable development is impossible without stable mass labor. This is especially true in the face of demographic challenges, market restructuring and growth in domestic production.
If we continue to perceive mass labor as insignificant, this will lead to a number of systemic risks:
- Shortage of personnel in critical areas. Already today there is a shortage of employees in logistics, warehouses, retail, and industry.
- Falling quality of services. High turnover, lack of training and motivation negatively affect customer experience.
- Increased social instability. Lack of support and attention to the needs of this part of the population can increase the gap between income and social inclusion.
Potential for problem solving
The situation requires an integrated approach, which should cover several areas:
- Improving working conditions. Safety, intelligible schedules, equipment that meets the standards are the basic things with which respect begins.
- Investing in training. Even for basic positions, communication skills, customer orientation, and lean manufacturing are important. Competencies can and should be developed.
- Rethinking motivation. It’s not just about salary. The atmosphere in the team, fair attitude, incentive system, corporate initiatives are important.
- Work with young people. It is necessary to create understandable career routes and demonstrate that even from “simple” positions you can build a professional future.
- Paying attention to migrant workers. Migration will remain a significant source of labor. Instead of fighting this phenomenon, it is important to build an effective system of adaptation and involvement.
Changing perceptions in society: Is it possible?
One of the key challenges is changing attitudes in society. If the work of line personnel continues to be perceived as insignificant, even the best management decisions will not work.
The role of media, educational and cultural institutions is important here. Stories of people who work in “simple” positions and are proud of their work can fundamentally change perceptions. This is not a return to the ideology of the “working hero,” but the formation of a modern, fair image of a person of labor – with respect, interest, without stereotypes.
The role of grassroots staff in the economy and society needs rethinking. Not as measures in case of a shortage, but as one of the key pillars of development. Attention to working conditions, training, career opportunities and public image is not a social gesture, but an investment in the country’s sustainability. The sooner we realize this, the stronger the foundation on which the economy rests will be.