Newsflash: Dayforce Research Finds Frontline Transformation Breaks Down Where Work Actually Happens

Dayforce, Inc., a global human capital management (HCM) leader that makes work life better, today released new research showing that frontline transformation often fails to stick because the workforce decisions that shape daily operations are still fragmented across disconnected systems, data, and workflows. 

The report, The hidden reason frontline transformation fails to stick, surveyed nearly 5,700 frontline workers, managers, and executives across six countries and found that while organizations are under increasing pressure to move faster, improve productivity, and control costs, many lack the connected workforce foundation needed to sustain change. 

“Most organizations know they need to adapt to AI, rising cost pressures, and changing employee expectations. The harder part is making that change stick,” said Steve Holdridge, President and Chief Operating Officer at Dayforce, Inc. “When workforce data and workflows are disconnected, managers spend too much time searching for answers and not enough time acting on them. People do their best work when they have the information and guidance they need in the moments when decisions are made.” 

Key findings from the research include: 

• Daily work disrupts transformation: 80% of executives and managers said daily operations pull focus away from transformation efforts or prevent progress from sticking. 

• Disconnected data slows decisions: Two-thirds (67%) of executives and managers said workforce decisions slow down at times because workforce data is not in one place. 

• Managers lack guidance: More than three-quarters (77%) of frontline managers said their systems do not provide clear guidance at times when operational issues arise. 

• Pressure increases risk: Almost half (44%) of executives and managers said disconnected workforce platforms increase risk when organizations are asked to do more with less. 

“The organizations best positioned for what comes next won't simply launch more initiatives,” said Holdridge. “They'll make daily work easier to understand, manage, and change.” 

Additional Information 

• Download the full report: The hidden reason frontline transformation fails to stick 

• Learn more on the blog: Frontline research: Why transformation fails to stick 

• Download additional Dayforce frontline research: Adaptability vs. reality: How frontline operations quietly passed the breaking point 

Methodology
Hanover Research conducted this Dayforce survey online from March 26 to April 13, 2026. The study included 5,693 respondents aged 18+ who work in frontline organizations with at least 100 employees across Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.   

About Dayforce 
Dayforce makes work life better. Everything we do as a global leader in HCM technology is focused on enabling thousands of customers and millions of employees around the world to do the work they're meant to do. With our single AI-powered people platform for HR, Pay, Time, Talent, Planning, and Analytics, organizations of all sizes and industries are achieving simplicity at scale that creates compounding, quantifiable value for their people and business. To learn more, visit dayforce.com. 

Media Contact
Nick de Pass 
nick.depass@dayforce.com 
(226) 972-5962