Gallup’s State Of The Global Workplace Report Summary

Let’s have a look into the key findings of Gallup’s State Of The Global Workplace report, exploring the challenges and potential impacts each one presents. We’ll also discuss how The Happiness Index platform can be an essential tool in addressing these issues, helping HR leaders foster a happier, more engaged workforce.

1. Employee Engagement Crisis

Gallup’s report reveals that only 20% of employees worldwide are engaged at work. This low engagement can lead to decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and lower overall company performance. It’s essential for HR professionals to identify the factors contributing to disengagement and develop targeted strategies to improve it. A dedicated listening programme is the best way to mitigate the effects of a lack of engagement within your organisation. 

2. Stress Levels At An All-Time High

Stress in the workplace is at an unprecedented high, with 43% of employees reporting they feel stressed on a daily basis. Chronic stress can result in burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and higher absenteeism. Addressing stress through comprehensive wellness programs is crucial for maintaining a healthy, productive workforce. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to workplace stress, so we always recommend listening to your people and understanding what they want and need in their wellness offering.

3. The Importance Of Wellbeing

Speaking of wellbeing, employees who strongly agree that their employer cares about their overall wellbeing are 69% less likely to actively search for a new job. Investing in employee wellbeing programs not only improves retention but also enhances overall job satisfaction and productivity. Increasingly employees are expecting wellbeing to be an integral part of their recognition and benefits packages. Building a culture that clearly respects work-life balance and supports your people’s mental and physical wellbeing at work as well as beyond is starting to become the norm. 

4. The Remote Work Revolution

The pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work, but 4 years later only 20% of remote-capable employees feel their employer helps them to thrive in this environment. Companies need to refine their remote work policies and support systems to ensure employees remain productive and engaged, regardless of their location.There are many benefits for employees and organisations that can be found in flexible working, but culture can be impacted. Building an environment where people can survive and thrive in an engaged culture can be harder in a remote or hybrid organisation, but we have the resources you need to succeed. 

5. Managerial Influence On Engagement

Gallup’s data shows that managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement. Effective leadership training and development programs are essential to equip managers with the skills they need to inspire and engage their teams. Empowering managers to take charge of their own team’s engagement data and action planning can make a huge difference in allowing them to build a culture of success that works for the individuals they work with.  

6. Trust In Leadership

Only one in three employees strongly agrees that they trust the leadership of their organisation. Gallup’s State Of The Global Workplace report shows that building a culture of trust through transparent communication and consistent, ethical behaviour from leaders is vital for employee engagement and retention. Of course, what is ethical behaviour is different to everyone, which is why understanding your employee’s vision and values and aligning your organisation’s efforts with these can be so vital for business success. 

7. Opportunities For Growth

Just 32% of employees believe their organisation offers ample opportunities for growth. Providing clear career progression paths and continuous learning opportunities can significantly boost employee motivation and retention. Neuroscience shows us that Personal Growth is a key factor in Employee engagement, and our data shows that this is an area that organisations regularly under-perform in. Building consistent professional development into workplace cultures is a game changer within many of the organisations we work with. 

8. Purpose & Meaning

A sense of purpose is a key driver of employee engagement. However, only 41% of employees strongly agree that their job is important to the organisation’s mission. HR professionals must ensure that employees understand how their roles contribute to the bigger picture. Within our framework this falls into the neuroscience theme of clarity, and getting this right is a journey not a destination. We find that for many organisations an iterative approach across the entire employee life-cycle is key, and so measuring clarity from onboarding to exit and being able to look at this data holistically is the only way to ensure success. 

9. The Role Of Recognition

Recognition is a powerful motivator, yet only 26% of employees strongly agree that they receive adequate recognition for their work. Gallup’s data shows that regular and meaningful recognition programs can improve morale, increase engagement, and drive better performance. But what is meaningful? This is something that is highly individual to your people and context. A cohesive listening programme should aim to understand what your people want and need when it comes to recognition and build a bespoke plan to your team. 

10. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Gallup’s State Of The Global Workplace report isn’t the only source to highlight the importance of DEI within the current workplace context. But their data highlights again that employees who feel included are more engaged, yet many organisations struggle with diversity and inclusion. Implementing effective DEI strategies that promote an inclusive culture is essential for harnessing the full potential of a diverse workforce. In order to do this you need to understand your current workplace culture within these parameters and how the individuals affected feel within the context. This is highly sensitive work and working with a specialist third-party tool builds trust and ensures that data is kept safely. 

Wrapping Up

The findings from Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 report highlight several critical areas where HR professionals can make a significant impact. By leveraging the insights provided, as well as really understanding their own employee feedback, HR leaders can develop targeted strategies to address these challenges and enhance employee engagement and workplace happiness.

The Happiness Index platform offers a comprehensive solution for measuring engagement and happiness, providing the data and insights needed to tailor programs to the specific needs of your organisation. Chat to our experts today to discover how our platform can support your journey towards a more engaged, productive, and happy workforce.

For more detailed insights and statistics, you can view Gallup's full report here.