Employee engagement statistics you should know in 2024

Employee engagement is more than just a buzzword. Successful businesses know that engaged teams drive growth and contribute to a positive company culture. But what do the numbers really say when it comes to its tangible benefits on productivity, job satisfaction, and overall performance?

Discover the latest trends and key insights with employee engagement statistics that can transform how you keep your teams motivated and thriving.

What are employee engagement statistics and why is it important?

Employee engagement statistics equip businesses with a better, evidence-based understanding of factors that drive satisfaction, productivity, and commitment to your organization. These are all the data derived from surveys, industry reports, and studies by firms that track employee engagement.

In a nutshell, these numbers paint you a picture of what it takes to attract and retain top talent. Keeping track of these data will give you valuable insights into why employee engagement matters. It’s also crucial in predicting productivity, reducing employee turnover, boosting customer satisfaction, and informing management strategies. 

10 employee engagement statistics

Discover how healthy and engaged employees improve business outcomes. We’ve curated a list of the 10 employee engagement statistics you should know in 2024.

Low employee engagement costs the economy 8.9 trillion USD annually

Data from analytics and advisory company Gallup shows that employee disengagement is a trillion-dollar problem. The cost of low engagement has skyrocketed to a whopping 8.9 trillion USD. This amounts to 9% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Gallup’s report also reveals that more than half, or 62%, of employees are not engaged at work. As more and more teams feel disconnected from their jobs, the less likely they are to be motivated, creative, or committed to contributing to the company’s goals.

92% of executives agree that high employee engagement is a key driver of customer happiness

If your customers are often happy and satisfied with the products or services you give them, you may have employee engagement to thank for that. According to research done by Harvard Business Review, 92% of leaders say that increased employee engagement directly boosts customer loyalty and sparks positive word-of-mouth.

This creates a ripple effect that benefits your entire business. In a competitive market, you’ll greatly benefit from engaged employees who are willing to go the extra mile, delivering top-notch services that resonate with customers.

At least half of the US workforce is quiet quitting

Quiet quitting isn’t just a viral thing on social media. It’s a very real problem faced by many businesses today. In fact, Gallup finds that at least 50% of employees in the US are “quiet quitters.”

Quiet quitting is the phenomenon where workers disengage from their work without formally resigning, usually by only doing the bare minimum needed to meet their tasks. This reduced enthusiasm highlights a growing trend of more people seeking a better work-life balance.

7 in every 10 employees believe that frequent meetings lessen their productivity

Meetings, while designed to foster collaboration and drive productivity, can sometimes have the opposite effect. 70% of employees say that attending fewer meetings could boost their productivity levels, according to a survey conducted by Slack.

To give you a clearer perspective, the average executive spends 23 hours or almost three working days to attend them. On the other hand, 71% of senior managers who participated in a survey by the Harvard Business Review found meetings unproductive and inefficient. 

If meetings remain the way they are, precious time will be consumed by ineffective discussions that add little or no value. This time could be better spent on planning employee engagement strategies or nurturing customer relationships.

8 out of 10 employees report being fully engaged after receiving meaningful feedback within the past week

Regular, meaningful feedback is what sets a good manager apart from others. Gallup’s report on employee engagement trends found that  80% of employees who report receiving meaningful feedback in the past week are fully engaged in the work they do.

Feedback should be a part of your employee development plan. It gives teams clear insights into their performance, helps them understand expectations, and instills a sense of value. It’s also a way to identify strengths and spot areas for improvement.

44% of workers say they feel burned out from work 

If you walk into any office today, it’s highly likely that 4 out of 10 desks you pass are occupied by someone who is struggling with workplace burnout. Research done by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 44% of US employees experience burnout from their jobs, 45% say they’re emotionally drained, and 51% are “used up” after a workday.

Burnout is a product of prolonged stress and it can manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally, even after rest. In these cases, you should monitor workloads, conduct regular check-ins, and encourage time off. You should also evaluate your business practices to make sure that teams have the flexibility and resources needed to handle job stress effectively.

Professionals who work on a hybrid basis are the most engaged

Workplace arrangements play a key role in keeping employees engaged. Employees who work on a hybrid basis are the most engaged at 35%. Fully remote employees are a close second at 33%, while those working entirely in-office lag behind, with just 27% feeling engaged. This is according to a report by Gallup.

The research also found that hybrid employees reap the benefits of improved work-life balance, more efficient use of time, less fatigue at work, and even higher productivity.

3/4 of employees are thinking about leaving their jobs

If you have 4,000 employees, chances are that 3,000 of them are thinking about leaving their current positions if the offer is right. It doesn’t matter if they’re actively looking for a job at the moment or not.

With 73% of employees thinking about leaving their jobs, employers should reconsider their retention strategies. More focus should be placed on creating a more engaging and supportive workplace that prevents talent from walking out the door.

Office, sales, and construction workers rank among the most disengaged employees

Teams that work in office, sales, and construction only have a 12% engagement rate, a report by Gallup found. These alarming employee experience statistics underscore a crucial issue within these industries as employees often feel disconnected from their roles.

In offices, a lack of collaboration can lead to feelings of isolation. Meanwhile, construction workers face high-stress conditions that can be worsened by a lack of recognition, and sales teams may struggle with pressure to meet targets. 

Implementing strategies that improve teamwork, enhance communication, and deliver praise at work may help in these situations.

Companies with a highly engaged workforce are more profitable by 21%

Engaged teams are more productive. This explains why businesses with highly engaged employees see a 21% increase in profitability, according to a Gallup study. Engaged workers are more motivated to do their responsibilities efficiently. Plus, they guarantee better customer experiences leading to better revenue.

Elevate employee engagement with data-driven strategies

Here’s one more number to keep in mind: 9 out of 10 employees believe that effective training boosts engagement, according to a report by Axonify. With all the innovative tools and resources at hand, making workplace training effective and enjoyable no longer requires tedious techniques.

Powerful employee engagement software such as SC Training is like a one-stop hub for engaging teams through developing their knowledge and skills. It houses gamification features that make training more interactive, fun, and motivating.

If your teams work on a hybrid basis, you can use SC Training’s social and peer learning features so employees can still work together to answer questions and solve problems even from a distance. Fostering collaboration is a key part of keeping employees engaged.

Motivate employees with effective workplace learning. Sign up with SC Training today!