Frontline Employee Retention: Reducing High Turnover With UKG & hrPad

If you’re struggling with low frontline employee retention, you’re not alone. Many HR leaders across industries are facing the same challenge—it’s not just your company, it’s happening everywhere. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that annual frontline turnover rates in 2025 are alarmingly high: 87% in quick-service restaurants, 81% in retail, 73% in logistics and warehousing, and 58% in call centers [1].

And it’s not just disruptive—it’s expensive. Research shows that replacing a single frontline employee costs around $52,000 [2], and at scale, that number climbs into the millions. That’s why frontline employee retention has become a business-critical priority. The good news is, if you’re already on UKG, you don’t need to switch systems to make improvements. CloudApper hrPad for UKG helps reduce attrition and improve the daily experience for frontline workers—all while easing the load on HR.

Why Do Frontline Employees Quit?

Most frontline employees don’t leave just because of the work itself—it’s usually about the experience around it. Here are some of the biggest reasons behind high employee turnover:

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• Fair pay issues: If hours aren’t tracked properly and paychecks are off, trust breaks down quickly.

• Frustrating processes: Chasing supervisors for PTO approvals, schedules, or timecard fixes wears people out.

• Lack of support: Waiting days for answers from HR makes employees feel invisible.

• No engagement: When there’s no way to give feedback or feel heard, employees disconnect.

• Poor work-life balance: Irregular schedules and last-minute shift changes burn people out fast.

• Few opportunities: Without growth or involvement in the bigger picture, employees don’t see a reason to stay.

These challenges stack up quickly, making it harder for companies to retain frontline employees and pushing attrition rates higher.

How CloudApper hrPad for UKG Helps Increase Frontline Employee Retention

Here’s how hrPad for UKG takes on those problems directly and helps you reduce frontline employee turnover:

1. Fair Pay and Trust in the System

With hrPad, employees clock in and out using Face ID, QR codes, barcodes, or NFC. This eliminates buddy punching and payroll errors, ensuring every paycheck is accurate. That fairness builds trust, which is key to frontline employee retention.

2. Convenience Through Self-Service

Instead of waiting on HR, employees can request PTO, check accrual balances, view schedules, and access timecards themselves. It saves time, cuts frustration, and makes workers feel valued. That independence goes a long way in retaining frontline employees.

3. Always-On HR Support

HR isn’t always available when questions come up—but hrPad’s 24/7 AI HR Assistant is. Whether it’s policies, overtime, or benefits, employees get answers right away. Quick support shows workers the company has their back and helps reduce frontline employee attrition.

4. Real Engagement and Feedback

Employees want to be heard. hrPad makes it easy to run job satisfaction surveys, well-being check-ins, and engagement polls. By giving workers a voice, you improve morale and strengthen employee retention.

5. Better Work-Life Balance

Shift control is a game-changer. With hrPad, employees can bid on, swap, and confirm shifts without headaches. That flexibility reduces stress, lowers burnout, and helps reduce frontline employee turnover.

6. Career and Referral Opportunities

Retention also improves when employees feel part of the bigger picture. hrPad enables referrals, letting workers recommend friends or family for open roles. It builds culture, rewards loyalty, and supports long-term frontline employee retention.

Wrapping It Up

Frontline employee retention isn’t just about pay raises or perks—it’s about daily experience. When workers feel fairly paid, supported, and empowered with flexibility, they’re more likely to stay.

That’s exactly what CloudApper hrPad for UKG delivers. It removes the frustrations that drive turnover and replaces them with trust, convenience, engagement, and balance. For HR leaders already on UKG, it’s not about switching systems—it’s about extending them to meet the needs of frontline employees.

If employee retention is keeping you up at night, hrPad offers a clear, practical way to reduce frontline employee attrition and build a workplace that makes people want to stay.

Reference:

1. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.tn.htm
2. https://www.catalyst.org/insights/2025/frontline-employee-satisfaction-drivers-us