FROM THE ‘GREAT RESIGNATION’ TO THE ‘GREAT DISSATISFACTION’

Recently, there’s been a buzz about employee engagement and satisfaction – or a lack of both. The ‘Great Dissatisfaction’ is the term that has been coined to describe workplaces where team members are staying in their jobs longer, but feel ‘stuck’, disengaged and even generally unhappy. Given the environment we’ve seen in games, with studios closing and downsizing workforces, it’s perhaps not surprising that some individuals are staying put, rather than looking at new career options. But in the wider world, economic pressures and the on-going struggle for work-life balance are also playing a role in creating this sense of malaise.

While these challenges are real, there are ways to turn things around. The following articles dive into what’s causing this dissatisfaction and, more importantly, offer practical tips for leaders to reignite motivation and improve workplace satisfaction.

The Great Detachment: Why Employees Feel Stuck: This analysis by Gallup explores why so many workers feel like they’re in a holding pattern at work. While they may not be actively leaving their jobs, that doesn’t mean they’re happy or engaged. The piece highlights the importance of digging into the root causes of this detachment - whether it’s burnout, unclear career paths, or a lack of connection to their roles. Employers are encouraged to listen carefully and make intentional changes to bring employees back into the fold. As you’d expect, Gallup provides some heavyweight stats and research, which you can discover here - https://shorturl.at/9WW7O

Is the Great Gloom Affecting Your Workplace? 7 Strategies to Help: If your workplace feels a little gloomy these days, you’re not alone. Forbes breaks down seven straightforward ways to lift spirits and boost engagement. From better communication and recognising employees’ hard work to offering professional development and encouraging work-life balance, it’s all about showing your team you care. When people feel valued, they’re much more likely to show up with energy and commitment. Learn more about how to lift the ‘Gloom’ here - https://shorturl.at/cZf9n

Don’t Mistake People ‘Sitting Tight’ for Employee Satisfaction: That’s the advice from Jessica Brannigan, Regional Director, EMEA People Science at employee engagement specialist Culture Amp. Writing for HR News, she suggests that just because someone isn’t leaving doesn’t mean they’re happy. TL;DR - the article reminds us not to confuse retention with contentment. Economic uncertainty may be keeping employees in their seats, but employers can’t afford to get complacent. Regular check-ins, meaningful career development, and an open, inclusive culture are key to ensuring that people aren’t just sticking around - they’re thriving in the workplace. You can read more of her advice here - https://shorturl.at/8B6CU

Why Job Satisfaction Isn’t Necessarily Driving the Great Stay: Not just the ‘Great Dissatisfaction’, but the ‘Great Stay’, according to Inc. This piece also takes a closer look at why some employees are staying put but not necessarily feeling satisfied. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it turns out that factors like economic instability and personal responsibilities often play a bigger role than job satisfaction itself. To keep employees truly engaged, says the article, organisations need to focus on things like meaningful work, autonomy, and making sure people feel aligned with the company’s mission. According to research, even salaries don’t make much of a difference: “The pandemic reshaped the paradigm of what people value most in life, including what they want in their job. It turns out, money isn’t the top reason people are staying (or leaving) anymore… unsatisfactory pay was only the sixth most common reason employee respondents gave for leaving a job in 2024 (20.5 per cent), while toxic work environments (32.4 per cent), poor company leadership (30.3 per cent), and unhappiness with one’s manager (27.7 per cent) were the top three reasons.” Take a closer look here - https://shorturl.at/clGAj

How to Improve Employee Engagement: 10 Strategies That Work: Here’s some solid advice from Startups.co.uk. Looking to energise your team? This article offers a no-nonsense guide to improving employee engagement. Tips include giving employees more autonomy, investing in their growth, fostering a healthy work environment, and prioritising diversity and inclusion. By putting these ideas into practice, the feature suggests that leaders can create a workplace where people feel motivated and excited to do their best work. Discover those top strategies here – https://shorturl.at/EWcl9

What’s the Secret to Great Employee Engagement? Six Tips: Employee engagement doesn’t happen by accident - it takes ongoing effort, says HR Director, which also highlights key adcice. This article shares six tried-and-true tips for keeping employees connected and invested in their work. From encouraging open communication and aligning roles with company values to keeping teams small and personal, these strategies focus on creating a sense of purpose and belonging in the workplace. Read on for more - https://shorturl.at/3tAhc

What are your thoughts? Have you witnessed the ‘Great Dissatisfaction’ anywhere? Are you personally looking to be more fulfilled in your career? I’d love to hear from you.

Photo by?Vasilis Caravitis?on?Unsplash