Great disengagement: Women and millennials are feeling the biggest disconnect with employers – but looming recession is preventing layoffs
Workers are still not ready to take the leap and quit their jobs as job market prospects begin to dry up even though they are slowly losing connection with their employers, according to a new survey. new survey.
About 30% of office workers polled Conference Board reported that their level of engagement, defined as the commitment and connection employees feel with their jobs, is lower than six months ago.
This poses a unique risk to the employer as they are also incapable of performing at their best even if their efforts are not affected.
“For businesses to really thrive, they should focus on improving employee engagement, regardless of location,” said Rebecca Ray, executive vice president of Human Capital at The Conference Board. or employee schedules.
“Especially during challenging times, previous research by The Conference Board has shown that it is important for leaders to reconnect all workers with the mission and purpose of the organization. office, as well as leading with compassion.”
The results come amid an ongoing debate about working from home.
Less than a third of employees now work remotely entirely, down from nearly half. But only 6% say their company requires everyone to return to the workplace full-time.
At 55%, more than half have a combined work schedule.
The decline in engagement seems to have nothing to do with fewer days spent in direct contact with co-workers, bosses, and subordinates. Sentiment was felt across the board with nearly identical responses regardless of whether the question was posed to remote workers, hybrid workers, or in-office employees.
Instead, it appears to be related to specific demographics: women and the younger generation, for example, are more likely to feel a lower level of engagement than men, older generations and executives and most receptive when working for a caring, empathetic leader.
Mental health decline
Only half put a higher salary in front of their claim to strengthen their connection to their workplace.
About 70% want the workplace to continue to be flexible in terms of location and working hours, two-thirds want the company to contribute to a retirement plan, and 61% want a better-paid vacation.
However, with a recession looming and reports of job cuts piling up, less than one in five said try suffered as a result. For comparison, more than 80% of respondents said the number was the same or even increased.
Robin Erickson, vice president of Human Capital at The Conference Board, said research shows many workers have reassessed their priorities since early 2020 at the onset of COVID.
“Employees are not only required to maintain the flexibility they gain when required to work remotely, but they also expect honest and transparent communication from their leadership,” she said in a statement. Father.
“That doesn’t mean salary doesn’t matter anymore – it’s not the only thing that matters, or even the most important thing. Now, when looking for a job, workers are considering many different factors that are unique to them and their needs.”
Nearly 40% say their mental health has been affected and that their intention to stay at work has decreased.
Despite doubts that the grass could be greener in the next pasture, only 12% of respondents are actively planning to leave in the next six months. A new job often comes with a trial period and the challenge of fitting in, increasing the risk of being fired.
“These results suggest that the recession may be slowing.” some on the high turnover we’ve seen,” Ray said, adding “engagement is eroding for many of those who stay. “
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