Global levels of employee engagement fell for the first time since 2012, according to a report from Aon Hewitt. The analysis of more than five million employees at over 1,000 organisations around the world shows that engagement dropped from 65% to 63% last year; less than one quarter of employees are highly engaged and 39% are moderately engaged. Engagement levels in the Asia Pacific region saw the greatest decline, dropping from 65% in 2015 to 62% in 2016. Reward and recognition programmes were ranked as the top opportunity to improve engagement by employees.
Ken Oehler, global culture and engagement practice leader at Aon Hewitt, said:
‘Leaders should understand that this actually reflects employees’ perceptions of fairness. While organisations may not be able to make sweeping changes to compensation, it is important that they take steps to address these sentiments.’
He links the fall in employee engagement to recent political trends:
‘The rise in populist movements like those in the US, UK and other regions is creating angst within organisations as they anticipate the potential for a decrease in free labour flow. Along with rapid advances in technology that are increasingly threatening job security, fewer employees are engaged and we expect this trend to continue.’