Sixty-three per cent (63%) of employees are disengaged from their workplace as companies fail to form a post-pandemic work culture in keeping with a hybrid world – according to a new poll.
According to a Robert Walters poll, Ireland is facing a ‘Disengagement Crisis’ with almost half of white-collar workers claiming that their workplace has become unrecognisable in the past 12 months with staff turnover at 54%, fewer people in the office at 49% and a 43% decline in team socials cited as the main drivers.
A third of workers also surveyed the fear the constant gloomy economic outlook while 28% consider moving abroad in further disconnection from the workplace.
Suzanne Feeney, country manager of Robert Walters Ireland, said: “I was somewhat surprised to see the findings from our research – especially given the investment made by employers into workplace culture over the past 3-5 years, as well as the more recent focus on luring workers back into the office.
“What is apparent here is the traditional tactics used to build a lively, inclusive, and social workplace culture are simply not cutting it. The hybrid-working world and subsequent decline in office attendance is having a detrimental impact on employee engagement and companies must act fast to keep employees engaged and attract the best professionals.”
Both employment and foreign investment but some employers are offering disengaged employees pay hikes in order to retain them, despite high employment rates.
A recent Bank of Ireland announcement stated that over half of the Irish workforce could expect a rise in pay over the next 12 months.
Results from the Salary Budget Planning report by WTW, 61% of firms budgeting for higher salary increases compared to 2021.
Ms Feeney added: “Much greater focus needs to be given to the wider topic of employee engagement – which should no longer be considered as a ‘buzz word’ or an intangible, immeasurable HR concept that is a ‘nice to have.’
“Employee engagement is a key driver of motivation, commitment and productivity in the workplace – in a business sense employers need to appreciate that it really does impact the bottom line.”
