The Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report was recently released and the findings are a doozy:
-60% of workers reported being emotionally detached at work, and 19% were miserable
-Only 33% reported feeling engaged (even lower than in 2020)
-50% of US workers feel stressed in their jobs on a daily basis, 41% worried, 22% sad, and 18% angry
These findings weren’t materially affected by whether people worked from home or in the office, long hours or part-time. What matters, the report finds, is how people are treated.
“The No. 1 reported cause of dissatisfaction with the job experience is characterized as ‘unfair treatment at work’ – the lack of a culture that emphasizes respect, community, and contribution acknowledgement.”
This probably doesn’t surprise you. Think back on the teams you’ve been a part of where you felt like a valuable member, where you trusted your fellow team members, and felt cared for as an individual, beyond what you could produce for others. That’s called psychological safety, and it will always lead to greater productivity and creativity, better communication, more ethical outcomes, and a higher sense of well-being.
A few things that help? Check in on each other regularly (and not just on work matters), express gratitude, and model vulnerability–that it’s okay not to know the answer, to make a mistake, or to need help. Always, listen. For more tips on that, see my recent newsletter.
You can see a summary of the report here or download the full report (email required) here.