Workplace Challenges Ahead: A Report from Gallup

A new report from Gallup highlights challenges facing workplaces in the new year, with unemployment claims reaching a three-year high according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The report found that U.S. employee engagement reached an 11-year low and overall employee satisfaction returned to a record low in 2024. Additionally, employees are seeking new job opportunities at the highest level since 2015, with workers staying in their current roles despite feeling disconnected from their jobs – a phenomenon Gallup is referring to as "The Great Detachment."

"Improving economic conditions shifts employees from angry to indifferent, but not from indifferent to inspired," said Gallup.

Only 50% of U.S. employees are thriving in their overall lives, which Gallup said is a new record low since it started trend measuring employee well-being in 2009.

The report also identified other challenges facing workplaces, including maintaining collaboration in hybrid work settings, adoption of artificial intelligence and ongoing issues for parents related to child care.

Gallup noted that these key employee experiences remain below pre-pandemic levels, meaning the workplace never returned to normal. Inspiring and supporting teams through significant change and uncertainty remains a top challenge for leadership.