Gallup 2025: Employee engagement decline causing US$438 billion in lost productivity

Gallup’s latest report is making waves as it reveals a worrying trend in employee engagement, with a notable decline leading to an astonishing US$438 billion in lost productivity. HRZone’s Managing Editor, Becky Norman, breaks down the key findings and opinions from industry experts on how organisations can tackle this engagement crisis effectively.

Source: HRZone

Key Points

  • Employee engagement fell by 2%, reaching a low of 21%—the same level as during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns.
  • The sharp decline in engagement is primarily attributed to a drop in manager engagement, falling from 30% to 27%.
  • Factors such as high turnover, rapid restructuring, and budget cuts have left managers feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.
  • Experts stress the importance of redefining management roles and investing in training to foster better engagement.
  • Failure to address these issues could lead to continued declines in productivity and employee retention.

Why should I read this?

If you’re a leader or anyone involved in HR, this article is a must-read. It highlights a growing crisis in employee engagement that could cost businesses billions. Understanding the insights here can help you make informed decisions to improve workplace morale and productivity. We’ve done the digging so you can focus on turning things around effectively without getting bogged down in the details!