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💕 Show Your Employees You Care Every Day, Not Just Once a Year 💕
❤️ Employee Engagement: Like a good relationship sustained effort is required.❤️
I love the Valentine’s card from our Watson X marketing team and was tempted to send it to my partner. However, I had carefully selected a more personal card. We both agree that Valentine’s Day may be a great time to express appreciation, but true relationships thrive on consistent effort throughout the year. The same principle applies to employee engagement it can’t be a one-time initiative but must be sustained across all 365 days.
Recent Gallup data paints a concerning picture: U.S. employee engagement has dropped to 31% in 2024, its lowest level in a decade, matching figures last seen in 2014. Meanwhile, actively disengaged employees have risen to 17%. This downward trend, especially pronounced since engagement peaked at 36% in 2020, highlights the need for ongoing, strategic interventions.
Key areas of decline include:
- Clarity of Expectations — Only 46% of employees clearly know what is expected of them, down 10 points from 2020.
- Feeling Cared About — Just 39% of employees feel strongly that someone at work cares about them, a significant drop from 47% in 2020.
- Encouragement of Development — Only 30% strongly agree that they receive development encouragement at work, down from 36% in 2020.
These issues disproportionately affect younger workers (Gen Z and those under 35), as well as professionals in industries such as finance, insurance, transportation, technology, and professional services. Even managers themselves struggle, with only 31% reporting engagement.
📈 The Value of Pulse Surveys 📈
Pulse surveys offer real-time insights into employee sentiment, allowing organizations to take proactive measures to enhance engagement. Unlike traditional annual surveys, these frequent check-ins help organizations:
- Identify Engagement Trends Early — Detect potential disengagement before it escalates.
