Employee engagement sees its first decline in a decade.

According to a new survey released by research firm Gallup, employee engagement in the U.S. saw its first annual decline in a decade.   32% of full- and part-time employees working for organizations are now engaged, while 18% are actively disengaged.  Gallup also found a decline in the percentage of employees who are extremely satisfied with their organization as a place to work. These are all indications that employees are feeling more disconnected from their employers.

 Gallup measures employee engagement by asking random samples of employees about specific workplace elements that link to many organizational outcomes, including profitability, productivity, customer service, retention, safety and overall wellbeing. 

 Gallup reported the engagement elements that declined the most include:

• • • clarity of expectations
    • connection to the mission or purpose of the company
    • opportunities to learn and grow
    • opportunities to do what employees do best
    • feeling cared about at work  

The report also offered ways employers can enhance employee engagement, which hopefully then translates to less turnover and to attracting and keeping employees.  Employees who report high engagement report their organizations excel by using organizational culture and values to guide business decisions, offering flexible and hybrid work schedules,  and maintaining strong connections between managers and employees.  Specific tools to keep employees engaged include:

 Frequent meaningful conversations between manager and employees

• • • Ask for employee feedback
    • Leverage the feedback into tangible change
    • Clarify expectations
    • Share and celebrate positive results among employees

 Source:  U.S. Employee Engagement Needs a Rebound in 2023 (gallup.com)