When only 46% of employees clearly understand what's expected of them at work, we've got a fundamental disconnect that fancy perks and ping-pong tables can't fix.

The engagement crisis is hitting Gen Z particularly hard, and it's spreading across industries.

Here's the kicker: employee engagement has plummeted to a historic low of 31% in 2024, while burnout is simultaneously skyrocketing to 82%. It's like we're running a marathon in flip-flops - technically possible, but painful and definitely not sustainable.

The old "throw money at it" approach isn't cutting it anymore, especially when only 39% of employees feel genuinely cared for at work.

Time for some real talk: we need to rebuild from the ground up. Start by selecting managers with actual leadership chops (not just promoting your top performers), create crystal-clear expectations for every role, and invest in meaningful career development - especially for your Gen Z folks.

And please, for the love of HR, ditch the annual engagement surveys for more frequent, authentic feedback channels. Your people aren't checking out because they're ungrateful; they're checking out because they're not connecting with their work or their leaders.

🔗 Relevant links

• U.S. Employee Engagement Hits 10-Year Low as Workplace Satisfaction Plummets


• Global Workplace Burnout Soars Despite High Employee Engagement


• U.S. Employee Engagement Hits Historic Low in 2024