Gallup Report: Employee Disengagement Reaches 9 Year High

 Gallup Report: Employee Disengagement

 Reaches 9 Year High

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the workforce, with a new survey by Gallup finding that the percentage of workers disengaged with their work has steadily increased each year since the onset of the pandemic. This trend has resulted in the highest levels of employee disengagement in the last 9 years.

The survey found that only 13% of workers are engaged in their work, while 63% are not engaged and 24% are actively disengaged. Engaged workers are defined as those who are involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace. Conversely, disengaged employees are not emotionally invested in their work, and may even actively undermine their colleagues and the company's goals.

The groups that reported the lowest levels of engagement were those who are working remotely and those who have been laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic. This is not surprising, as remote work and job loss can lead to feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

To combat this trend, companies can take steps to increase worker engagement by:

1. Providing regular communication and updates to employees about the company's plans and progress, especially during times of uncertainty.
2. Creating opportunities for virtual team-building and connection, such as virtual happy hours and online events.
3.  Encouraging managers to check in with their team members on a regular basis and provide support and feedback.
4. Offering professional development and training opportunities to help employees stay engaged and motivated.
5. Recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions to the company's success.

Summing up, the new survey by Gallup found that the percentage of workers disengaged with their work has steadily increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies can take steps to increase worker engagement by providing regular communication, creating opportunities for virtual team-building and connection, encouraging managers to check in with their team members, offering professional development and training opportunities and recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions.

References:

Gallup. (2021). Employee Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com/workplace/289580/employee-engagement-during-covid-pandemic.aspx

Ahsan Tariq
Department of Management Science 
Preston University
Reg#1093-114118