(NewsNation) — American workers continued to feel detached from their employers in 2023, with lower satisfaction and less sense of purpose than in previous years, according to a new survey.
The findings from research firm Gallup show only 33% of U.S. full- and part-time employees were engaged in their work at the end of last year, Gallup said in a news release. At mid-year, it was 34%.
Engagement last year was down from the annual high of 36% in 2020 and peak of 40% in June of that same year. Gallup has tracked worker engagement since 2000.
It had been on a steady uptrend for a decade, according to Gallup, before the peak in 2020 that was followed by two years of decline. It reached a 32% low in 2022.
“Each percentage point gain or drop in engagement represents approximately 1.6 million full- or part-time employees in the U.S.,” Gallup said. “Trends in employee engagement are significant because they are linked to many performance outcomes in organizations.”
Gallup defines employee engagement as:
- Engaged: Highly involved and enthusiastic about the workplace.
- Not engaged: Psychologically unattached to work and the company; puts time — but not energy or passion — into work.
- Actively disengaged: Unhappy at work, resentful and potentially undermines what engaged workers accomplish.
Gallup estimates detached employees account for about $1.9 trillion in lost productivity nationally.
“As the proportion of hybrid and fully remote workers has essentially stabilized — with 29% of employees with remote-ready jobs reporting they’re working fully remotely and 52% working a blend of in office and at home — it is crucial that leaders are equipped to respond to the new-normal workplace,” Gallup said.
Much has changed in the workplace over the past four years, thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic that ushered in an era of remote work.
Gen Z workers are changing the landscape, too. Last year, employees began “quiet quitting,” and now other trends are appearing on social media as part of a broader conversation about work-life balance, job satisfaction and mental health in the workplace.
Gallup found that just one meaningful conversation a week could help boost engagement. Justin Bariso, an author, speaker and consultant on emotional intelligence, said in a column for Inc.com that can mean offering employees recognition, collaboration or clarity.
NewsNation affiliate KHON contributed to this report.
