What Industrial Workers Want in 2025: Are You Offering the Right Incentives?

Understanding what industrial workers want in 2025 helps determine which incentives to provide. Offering the right incentives strengthens worker attraction and retention rates.

Competitive compensation and a safe work environment are among the incentives industrial workers want in 2025. The following are additional incentives to consider.

Competitive Income

Sign-on bonuses, above-average wages, shift differentials, and pay increases based on attendance, performance, and work quality provide industrial workers with a comfortable living. Competitive income shows value and respect for workers’ contributions, results, and organizational impact.

Higher income encourages job satisfaction, long-term employment, and workforce stability. Greater compensation reduces hiring, onboarding, and training costs.

Attractive Benefits  

In-demand benefits support industrial workers’ quality of life. The following benefits are highly desirable:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Physical and mental health programs
  • Life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Retirement plan with a company match
  • Generous paid time off (PTO)

Safe Work Environment

Safety is essential for industrial workers. Minimizing accidents and injuries promotes trust, engagement, and productivity.

The following support a safe work environment:

  • Regular safety training
  • Maintaining OSHA standards and regulations
  • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Regular tool, equipment, and machine maintenance and repairs
  • Enforcing breaks

Career Planning

Encourage managers to help industrial workers develop organizational career paths. Include learning and development opportunities to build skill sets and increase qualifications for promotions. Regular advancement strengthens employee attraction and retention.

Profit Sharing Programs

Sharing a portion of the company’s profits through retirement account contributions or direct payments enhances industrial workers’ financial stability. Adjusting the contributions based on earnings provides flexibility to manage expenses. These activities support feelings of company ownership and loyalty.

Bonuses and Raises

Offering bonuses and raises based on goal attainment shows industrial workers are valued and appreciated. Clarifying the objectives and metrics for earning additional income helps workers attain them.

Employee Referral Program

Incentivizing employee referrals encourages industrial workers to share job openings with members of their network. Providing a gift card, vacation day, or bonus for successful referrals who remain for a set time reduces hiring costs.

Recognition and Rewards

Industrial workers desire recognition and rewards for their contributions, results, and organizational impact. For instance, a social recognition program that publicly recognizes workers boosts motivation, engagement, and productivity. A points-based recognition program lets workers earn and redeem points for rewards tailored to their preferences.

Get Help Hiring Industrial Workers

SURESTAFF can provide skilled industrial workers to help fill open roles. Reach out to learn more today.