“Our research shows that frontline employees feel disconnected not because they care less, but because they are engaged less,” said Gideon Pridor, CMO & Chief Storyteller at Workvivo by Zoom.

Recognition and advancement are especially lacking. Half of all respondents believe office workers are treated better, and just 13% of frontline employees who want to grow see a clear path forward. More than half say they’d leave their job for better career prospects—even if the pay stayed the same.

Related: Communication crisis for frontline workers costs $80.6B a year

Modern communication mechanisms meant to help connect frontline employees to company offices are less effective than you’d hope. About two-thirds of frontline workers report frustration with the platforms their companies provide, saying they’re designed for office staff. Forty-two percent rate leadership communication as poor. And while 57% say they’d like to hear from the CEO directly, nearly half say company messages feel irrelevant to their day-to-day work.

These insights are critical given the scale of the issue: frontline workers make up 80% of the global workforce.

Pridor recommends that leaders explore new communication methods to better reach their frontline employees. “To close this critical gap, organizations need to recognize frontline contributions in real time, communicate in ways that are relevant and accessible, and provide clear and visible paths for growth. When employers meet these needs, they improve engagement and create a culture where everyone feels they belong,” said Pridor.