The News
Workers’ stress levels fell globally in 2023 for the first time since the pandemic began, but more than 60% of them don’t feel engaged at work.
The resulting lack of productivity cost the global economy $8.9 trillion, according to a new Gallup report.
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More engaged business teams drive more positive outcomes within organizations, Gallup found, leading to higher productivity, and in turn, profitability and sales. To increase engagement, companies need to foster trust, said Jim Harter, chief scientist of workplace management and wellbeing at Gallup, at Semafor’s “World of Work” event. Companies have to provide benefits, and create a culture where people are not afraid to use them, said Toni Thompson, head of HR at Etsy.
Japan was among the countries with the least engaged workers, with 94% considered to be either “quiet quitting” or actively hostile toward their employers. The findings counter the country’s “hardworking image,” The Japan Times wrote, and highlight a generational shift as more workers seek out nontraditional careers with greater flexibility.
Some dissatisfied workers are even outsourcing the act of resigning to companies that help them quit their jobs with less pressure.
The View From
By Jacqui Canney, Chief People Officer at ServiceNow
In a business world where change is constant, successful companies put people at the center of their strategies. It’s no secret that companies thrive when employees feel fulfilled and engaged in inclusive, value-driven cultures.
We also know that in the last 10 years, the number of people expressing stress, sadness, anxiety, anger, or worry has been on the rise, reaching its highest levels since Gallup surveys began. Now, as generative AI radically transforms the way we work and live, it has never been more important for leaders to focus on the wellbeing of their people.
At ServiceNow, our AI-driven platform powers one million business processes and 40 billion workflows for our customers. We’re all in. Not only are we navigating a technological revolution, but we’re also defining a human renaissance: we have the power to unlock new opportunities, innovation, and creativity for our people, supercharged by AI. We also know that some people may worry about AI’s impact on their jobs. This is when we lean on Our People Pact: our commitment that everything we do helps our employees do their best work, live their best lives, and fulfill our purpose together. As part of this commitment, we focus on the humanity of our people by providing spaces and resources to support their mental health and wellbeing. And we share our positive AI vision to create new opportunities for them to focus on the strategic, creative, innovative work they enjoy. We’re embracing change and bringing our workforce along the journey, which is good for our business and our people.