Latest Gallup data shows a drop in U.S. employee engagement levels, hitting the lowest mark since 2013. At the close of 2023, 33% of American workers felt highly engaged, but by February 2024, this figure dipped to 30%, marking a decline of 3 percentage points. That’s a staggering 4.8 million fewer employees showing high engagement.
While the peak of 36% was reached in 2020, the current engagement level matches or surpasses any recorded between 2000 and 2013. Jim Harter, Gallup’s chief workplace scientist, notes a concerning trend: employees feel increasingly disconnected from their roles, citing lower satisfaction, diminished clarity in their responsibilities, and a weaker sense of connection to their organization’s mission. Moreover, there’s a palpable decline in the perception that someone at work genuinely cares about them.
These insights were gathered from a random sample of 18,708 U.S. adults engaged in full-time or part-time work.
Gallup’s research underscores notable declines, specifically in engagement within:
- Employees under 35, particularly Gen Z.
- Onsite workers who could do their jobs remotely.
- Fully remote employees.
People are increasingly fixated on screens rather than interacting face-to-face, which could diminish human connection and subsequently impact employee engagement. Employees yearn for workplace environments that value interpersonal relationships and provide meaningful experiences beyond just metrics of engagement.
Is your business providing community, connection or belonging? Is there a sense of purpose? An opportunity for professional growth? Flexibility or autonomy in work?
Employee fulfillment could stem from these psychological needs. This search for fulfillment indicates that what appears to be an engagement problem could signify a deeper need for significant and rewarding professional experiences. Employees want more than just a transactional relationship with their employer.
Culpeo HR can assist your business with strategies and recommendations to elevate your employee engagement level, ultimately retaining your top talent, protecting your brand, and boosting your business’s reputation amongst your competitors.
