Frontline Workers Demand Pay Clarity and Flexibility: New DailyPay & Workday Research

DailyPay and Workday have released new research highlighting a significant disconnect between frontline worker needs and employer offerings. For fintech professionals, this underscores the growing demand for on-demand pay and digital financial tools as critical components of talent retention and operational efficiency in a tightening, cost-sensitive labor market.

What was announced

The research conducted by DailyPay and Workday identifies a stark disconnect between the expectations of frontline workers and the current provisions offered by their employers. A primary finding is the high level of financial calculation required for daily work; 78% of frontline employees now calculate essential expenses such as gas, commuting, and childcare before deciding whether to accept a new shift. This suggests that for a large portion of the essential workforce, the cost of working is a primary barrier to labor participation.

The study also highlights specific areas where satisfaction lags behind perceived importance. While 84% of workers cite pay clarity as a top priority, only 57% are satisfied with their current situation. Similarly, 72% value schedule flexibility, yet only 53% report being satisfied with it. Digital tools also show a gap, with 70% importance versus 51% satisfaction. Employers who address these gaps may gain a competitive edge, as 77% of respondents stated that access to on-demand pay would be a deciding factor when choosing between two job offers. Furthermore, 45% of workers rank their schedule among the top three reasons for accepting their current role, and 36% believe that better digital tools would directly boost their productivity. Despite these needs, 52% of workers do not expect their employers to address these issues, presenting an opening for proactive firms. The full report is available through the DailyPay resource center.

The companies involved

DailyPay is a prominent financial technology company headquartered in New York, specializing in earned wage access (EWA). The firm provides a platform that integrates with employer payroll systems to allow workers to track, spend, and save their wages as they earn them, rather than waiting for a bi-weekly or monthly pay cycle. DailyPay has established itself as a leader in the financial wellness space, focusing on reducing the reliance of workers on high-interest payday loans or credit card debt.

Workday is a global leader in enterprise cloud applications, particularly known for its solutions in human capital management (HCM) and financial management. Based in Pleasanton, California, the company provides a unified system for organizations to manage their workforce and financial operations. Workday’s platform is used by thousands of organizations worldwide, ranging from medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies. The collaboration between these two entities represents a significant intersection of payroll technology and enterprise resource planning, aimed at addressing the specific logistical and financial challenges faced by the essential workforce in various sectors including retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has extensively covered DailyPay’s expansion and its measurable impact on workforce stability. In late 2025, we reported how Quality Automotive Services Increases Employee Tenure by 32% Through Partnership with DailyPay, demonstrating a clear link between on-demand pay and employee retention. This followed news that Forbo Movement Systems Adds DailyPay to Its Financial Wellness Benefits Package, further cementing the company's role in corporate wellness strategies. On the leadership front, we covered the appointment of DailyPay Names Caitlin Allen as Chief Brand and Communications Officer in December 2025. Additionally, our coverage of the broader enterprise payment landscape includes the news that Eftsure Acquires Relish to Create Global Leader in AI-Powered Enterprise Payment Assurance, highlighting the ongoing consolidation and technological advancement in how large organizations manage their financial flows.

What this means

The findings suggest that the frontline labor market is reaching a tipping point where traditional payroll cycles are no longer compatible with the economic realities of the workforce. When 78% of workers are calculating gas and childcare costs before accepting a shift, the liquidity gap becomes an operational bottleneck for employers. This announcement places significant pressure on traditional payroll providers and legacy HR platforms that have been slow to integrate real-time payment capabilities. The data indicates that on-demand pay is transitioning from a fringe benefit to a primary factor in job selection. For the fintech sector, the challenge now lies in moving beyond simple wage access toward providing the pay clarity and digital productivity tools that workers clearly feel are currently lacking.