In this quick, Culture Snapshot episode, we’re kicking off our season-long deep dive into ENGAGE 2024: The Company Culture Report by pointing out some of this year’s need-to-know findings.
That is, on the other side of this episode, you’ll have a bird' s-eye view of the many ways in which people are currently feeling about the experience of working at their organization.
Here at Up Your Culture, we like to use a particular analogy to demonstrate the varying levels of engagement that occur in the workplace: a campfire.
Take a second to imagine your company campfire. Here’s who would be surrounding that fire and the actions they would be taking:
ENGAGED 2024: The Company Culture Report found that only 55% of employees are currently engaged, highlighting a significant need for improvement.
Disengaged employees not only hurt their own productivity but also bring down the morale of others. A shocking 86% of respondents report working with disengaged colleagues.
“Imagine working really hard to build a fire. You put logs on that fire, and other people are dousing the flames,” Beth says in the episode. That would probably decrease your energy for all the work you're doing. I find it really concerning that 86% of our respondents work side by side with people who are not just checked out but actively disengaged.
“[Those who are disengaged] are working against the organization's good. Imagine how that can reduce energy, morale, and productivity.”
This finding highlights the importance of fostering a positive culture to retain top talent. Turnover is expensive, and the report reveals that nearly half (47%) of those surveyed considered leaving their jobs recently.
Despite the disengagement issues, there's a positive takeaway. 90% of respondents reported finding purpose in their work.
“I find that so very reassuring,” Beth says. “What this tells me is that the vast majority of people are doing work that they find meaningful. So, if their companies make an effort to improve their culture and create an environment that also feels meaningful, it probably won't take much for those people to start feeling more inspired and more engaged.”