The number of disengaged employees increased by 45% in the past year..

[Raven]

Did you see this recent article in BusinessWeek online? Disengaged Employees Are Seeking Refuge. It opens with the astonishing line "The number of disengaged employees increased by 45% in the past year, and they are doing something worse than quitting—they're staying..", and if you look at the title, the article says the number of disengaged employees has increased by 45% in the past year too. Check out the article for the rest of the details - interesting read!

[Doug Shaw]

Hi David, in an attempt to define this I offer you this:

We determine employees’ engagement levels based on their responses to questions that measure their connections to the organisation across three dimensions:

Rational: How well employees understand their roles and responsibilities (the “thinking” part of the equation)
Emotional: How much passion and energy they bring to their work (the “feeling” part of the equation)
Motivational: How well they perform in their roles (the “acting” part of the equation)

Someone who is disengaged is disconnected, (scoring poorly if you like) across these three dimensions.

That 45% thingie is scary, and written to be so I guess. It's a pretty poor way of drawing attention to an interesting problem.

To your last point....it depends, perhaps another definition is required. If engagement is defined as an employees extent to “go the extra mile” and put discretionary effort into their work — contributing more of their energy, creativity and passion on the job, then regrettably I do see an increase in disengagement. I see a lot of busy, a lot of presenteeism, some fear and too much bad behaviour.

Oh dear, sorry about that. I also see people having fun, making connections, listening, sharing, being productive and purposeful too. I can even see hints of trust and as Spring arrives here in London, I see green shoots of empowerment among the tulips and the daffodils too. Time for some weeding I think.

Cheers - Doug

[David Zinger]

Raven,

I saw this article too.

Do you or someone else know how they defined "disengaged worker." I am feeling uncomfortable with news reports like this that don't tell you how you determine someone is disengaged.

The other part I find disconcerting was the lack of a reference. Increased 45% in the past year from what? What was the percentage used before.

I guess I should be happy that these stats are displayed because it would show a greater need for this network but I feel it is at least mildly disrespectful for all the people working. I personally am not seeing this increase in the workplaces I am going to. Are others?????

David

[Doug Shaw]

Good find. This is a big concern. The disengagement problem solves itself over time...?
The Towers Perrin Global Workforce Study indicates that senior management ought to be adopting active strategies to root out disengagement. The commonly-held belief that disengaged employees
are a temporary problem because they soon leave the organisation is proven to be false. Many have no intention of leaving of their own accord, and remain to repel customers and infect colleagues with their
cynicism and lack of energy.