The majority (90%) of UK workers are not enthused by or engaged with their work and workplace, according to research analytics and advisory firm Gallup.
Its State of the global workplace 2023 report found that the UK’s rate of engagement at work is one of the lowest in Europe at 10%, ranking 33rd out of 38 countries. Just 13% of employees across Europe said they feel engaged at work, with the lowest rates of engagement reported in France (7%) and Italy (5%). Conversely, 31% of US employees reported feeling engaged.
In addition, nearly one-fifth (19%) of UK professionals said they felt angry at work, a four-point increase year-on-year, putting the UK above the European average (14%).
The report also discovered that confidence in the UK’s current job market has declined by four points since last year, with just 36% believing that now is a good time to find a job. Meanwhile, growing job-market confidence was found to be higher across the rest of Europe, where more than half (56%) of the population believe now is a good time to look for a job, up 12 points year-on-year.
Anna Sawyer, partner at Gallup, said: “The UK continues to perform poorly on employee engagement. To tackle widespread disengagement, businesses need to be championing employees and giving them the right tools and resources to be productive and purposeful. Amid economic instability, employers may not be able to incentivise their employees with renumerations and benefits.
“Additionally, it’s important for employees spend time together. The value of real human interactions cannot be overlooked, it's crucial for career development, productivity and wellbeing, among other outcomes. Employers that fail to make employee engagement a priority risk losing talent and, ultimately, jeopardise their overall success.”
