U.S. workforce engagement drops, $1.9 trillion lost – survey

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES — American workers are reporting lower job satisfaction and a reduced sense of purpose in their jobs, according to a recent survey by research firm Gallup.

The level of engaged employees stagnated at 33% in 2023, down from a peak of 40% in 2020.

While the percentage of actively disengaged workers declined slightly to 16%, half of employees fall into the not engaged or “quiet quitting” category. Gallup previously projected that quiet quitting cost the global economy $8.8 trillion, or nine percent of the global GDP.

With lower engagement comes substantial economic impacts. Gallup estimates over $1.9 trillion in lost productivity from employees who are not engaged or actively disengaged.

“Employees still feel more detached from — and less satisfied with — their organizations and are less likely to connect to the companies’ mission and purpose or to feel someone cares about them as a person,” the report said.

Compared to 2020, younger workers are also trailing behind their highest levels by seven points or more on feeling cared about at work, feeling connected to the mission or purpose of the company, and having opportunities to learn and grow.

Workers aged 35 and older have seen minimal change in the past year but still significantly trail behind the 2020 peak on satisfaction with their company (six points), clarity of expectations (seven points), and opportunity to do what they do best (five points).

With hybrid and remote work stabilizing, Gallup advises business leaders to equip themselves to support employees in the “new normal” workplace. 

Remote employees' connection to their organization's mission is eroding, particularly for those exclusively working remotely. Only 28% strongly agree with feeling connected, matching the record low for this group set in 2011. https://t.co/n1oqdbqV7U pic.twitter.com/VQlytUapmI

— Gallup Workplace (@GallupWorkplace) January 23, 2024