UK Employee Engagement: Addressing ‘Quiet Quitting’ Amidst Political Change

Does the U.K. have a serious problem?

Only 10% of U.K. workers were found to be feeling engaged with their jobs, according to Gallup’s new State of the Global Workforce 2024 report , with the country trailing behind the U.S. and several European countries.

This means a staggering 90% of employees are feeling detached from their roles and more than likely hopping onto the “quiet quitting” trend of the past few years.

Additionally, 40% of employees in the U.K. were found to be experiencing daily stress and 27% reported feeling daily sadness — the second highest across all European countries. Another 20% of workers reported feeling daily anger.

Comparatively, 23% of employees globally reported feeling engaged at work and 33% of U.S. workers said they were engaged at work.

Data for Gallup’s report was collected in 2023 and it surveyed 128,278 working adults in over 160 countries. The survey was carried out annually either face-to-face or via phone.

U.K. workers weren’t confident about the job market because vacancies have been declining since the post-pandemic peak in 2022, according to data from the U.K. Office for National Statistics analysed by McKinsey .

As the UK gears up for the general election on July 4th, a new Gallup report reveals a startling trend: 90% of UK employees are ‘quiet quitting,’ meaning they are disengaged at work and actively seeking new opportunities. This comes at a crucial time when the incoming government will need to address economic and workforce challenges head-on.

Actively disengaged workers may often be trapped in jobs they do not like for economic reasons,” the report said. Economic factors likely play a significant role in active disengagement. We infer that job opportunities allow bitter employees to leave bad situations and find better ones.

Election Impact on Employment Policies

With the election only weeks away, the direction of the UK's employment policies is at a critical juncture. Should Keir Starmer’s Labour Party win, we might see an emphasis on enhancing workers' rights and investing in public services, which could foster better job satisfaction and retention. Conversely, if Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party retains power, the focus might continue on economic stability and business incentives, potentially influencing how companies engage with their employees.

Continuous engagement can be achieved when companies use AI to inject energy and creativity into their relationships with employee's, we have seen a significant shift in retention when using Morfin AI solutions, Vlad Centea

Continuous Engagement: An AI Solution

In response to the rising trend of ‘quiet quitting,’ innovative AI solutions are being proposed to keep employees engaged. One such approach, highlighted by Morfin , is continuous engagement. Unlike traditional methods, which often rely on periodic reviews, continuous engagement involves real-time feedback, frequent check-ins, creative quizzes, regular feedback and a proactive approach to addressing employees' needs and career aspirations. This dynamic model helps create a workplace where employees feel valued and invested in, reducing the likelihood of them silently disengaging.

The study reported a 68% increase in employee wellbeing; a 23% increase in profitability and a 13% increase in productivity.

Government Actions and Long-Term Strategies

As the new government steps in post-election, immediate actions could include promoting work-life balance, supporting mental health initiatives, and enhancing job security. Encouraging businesses to adopt flexible and adaptive work environments will be key to addressing the underlying causes of employee disengagement.

For long-term success, both companies and the government should focus on cultivating a culture that values continuous learning and career growth. This involves investing in professional development, wellness programs, and creating clear pathways for career progression. By adapting to the evolving expectations of the workforce, we can work towards a future where employees are actively engaged and loyal.

As the UK navigates these transformative times, the approach to ‘quiet quitting’ will require a concerted effort from both the public and private sectors to build environments that continuously engage and value their workforce.

Stay Informed:

For more detailed insights into the upcoming election and its potential impact on UK employment policies, check out these sources:

- [City A.M. - Election 2024: Everything you need to know about the July 4 vote](https://www.cityam.com/election-2024-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-july-4-vote/ )

- [Institute for Government - General election July 2024: What happens next?](https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/explainer/general-election-july-2024-what-happens-next )

- [CNBC - A staggering 90% of UK employees are ‘quiet quitting,’ Gallup report says](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/13/a-staggering-90percent-of-uk-employees-are-quiet-quitting-gallup.html )

Stay tuned for more updates and strategies on keeping your workforce engaged and motivated during these changing times.

References:

- City A.M., "Election 2024: Everything you need to know about the July 4 vote"

- Institute for Government, "General election July 2024: What happens next?"

- CNBC, "A staggering 90% of UK employees are ‘quiet quitting,’ Gallup report says"