Employees across the US are feeling increasingly detached from their jobs and most of them aren't happy with their roles, a new report from the workplace advisory firm Gallup, has said. According to it, the share of Americans looking out for new jobs or actively seeking one stands at 51 percent. The figure stood at 45 percent in 2020.
Moreover, employees' happiness at work has taken a dip with only 18 percent of those surveyed reported being extremely satisfied with their jobs. The number stood at 26 percent during the pre-pandemic days.
Professionals "are seeking new job opportunities at the highest rate since 2015, while overall satisfaction with their employer has returned to a record low," the report stated. 'Yet, unlike the 'Great Resignation,' many frustrated employees are struggling to make the leap to a new employer in a cooling job market and economy marred by inflation. Instead, they are left feeling stuck with their discontent. Gallup refers to this shift as the 'Great Detachment.'
What this means for employers
According to Gallup, this trend means that while turnover numbers may have slowed, employee productivity concerns and future talent loss are hidden organizational risks. In addition, when employees feel detached from their work, organisational change initiatives are likely to meet indifference or resistance, the report stated.
What is causing the 'Great Detachment'
1.) Rapid organizational change: Most companies underwent rapid transformations post-2020. Record-high turnover and hiring during the Great Resignation resulted in many employees finding their footing in a new career. Today, seven in 10 employees (73 percent) say their organization has experienced some level of disruptive change in the past year. The more disruption that employees have experienced, the more likely they are to feel burned out today.
2.) Hybrid and remote work: Hybrid work entails switching work locations throughout the week and often results in team members working different schedules, which naturally challenges communication and coordination. "The physical distancing inherent to remote work can also create an emotional distance," the Gallup report stated.
3.) New employee expectations: The Covid pandemic caused many to reevaluate what they want from their career and employer. Work-life balance and better compensation packages became more important to employees, along with expectations for remote work flexibility. A mismatch between what employees expect and what employers offer can leave employees feeling undervalued and questioning their future.
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