The Survey

As you may have already seen, last week Gallop released the results of their 2023 Engagement Survey, entitled, The New Challenge of Engaging Younger Workers. It highlights the need for convenience and connections in the workplace.

The Findings

One of the findings is that, among the majority of staff, seniors and managers, engagement is decreasing and disengagement is increasing, since the Covid era. “[T]he percentage of engaged Gen X employees (born between 1965 and 1979) has declined by four points, from 35% to 31%, while the percentage of actively disengaged Gen X employees has increased by one point, from 17% to 18%.

But the most dramatic decline in engagement has occurred among younger generations, especially the older group of millennials (born between 1980 and 1988). The percentage of engaged older millennials has declined by seven points, from 39% to 32%, while the percentage of actively disengaged older millennials has increased by five points, from 12% to 17%.

The younger group of millennial and Gen Z employees (born 1989 or later) have experienced a five-point decline in engagement, from 40% to 35%, while the percentage of actively disengaged employees has increased by one point, from 13% to 14%.”

This is going in the wrong direction. What could be the driver for this decline in engagement?

The Driver

This trend reminded me of a statement made by Michael Ungar, a social science researcher and professor, who wrote about the disengaged, “They need the social interaction of the office but don’t know they do. They find working from home easy and convenient, but the resulting malaise is never connected to their lack of relationships, routines, and responsibilities that come when people work side by side.”

We are human beings who need social interaction. We enjoy living with our families and friends, dreaming of the future and accepting the current inconveniences of the moment because we are connected. If you don’t have the social connections with others in your firm, there is not much to be shared and you are left with the inconveniences of the moment. It’s no wonder that disengagement is increasing.

There is a reason why so many companies have recently instituted policies that account for the human need for social interaction. Companies like Starbucks, General Motors, Disney, Walmart, Dell,  and Amazon.

The Responsibility

At some point, we have to accept our human-ness. This is your opportunity to be personally responsible and take action on what you need to be your better self—not just what is easiest or most convenient. Not only that, look beyond yourself and realize that you are a part of the social fabric that others need.

Everyone is different and has different needs and situations. But if you feel stressed, burned out or just don’t care very much, don’t assume it is because of your firm, your manager or your profession. Maybe another consideration might be finding the right balance of convenience and connections. As a talented professional, you owe it to yourself. Go for it.