Key Lessons from Gallup's State of the American Workplace

The Gallup State of the American Workplace report gives managers and executives the insight they need to develop policies and programs to increase employee engagement. The most recent report, based on data collected between 2010 and 2012, shows that employees are not as engaged as managers would like them to be. In fact, a number of employees in the American workplace are dissatisfied with their jobs and spend some of their work time actively looking for work elsewhere. Morale is also very low in some workplaces, making it difficult for managers to get employees to work together toward common goals.

One of the most important takeaways from the State of the American Workplace report is that there are three major ways to increase employee engagement. The first is to select the right people, and this is especially important when choosing managers. Employee engagement increases when firms use scientific selection techniques to pick managers with the best attributes for the job. Good managers empower and support their staff members, making it easier to increase employee engagement and boost morale. The second way to improve employee engagement is to help employees develop their strengths. Employees who are able to use their skills and talents on the job are less likely to leave their current employers. The third means of increasing engagement is to enhance the well-being of employees, as healthier employees are also more engaged and ready to face the challenges of the American workplace.

Managers of American companies can also learn about different groups of employees by reading the results of the Gallup report. The most recent report showed that female employees are slightly more engaged than male employees. Surprisingly, employees without college degrees are actually more engaged than workers with college degrees. This finding shows that some managers may not be utilizing the knowledge and skills of these workers effectively. The Gallup report also indicates that baby boomers tend to be more engaged when managers demonstrate that they care. You can use this information to adjust your management style and help employees deliver their best performances.

Unfortunately, the State of the American Workplace report also shows that a number of employees hate their jobs. According to an article published in the Lansing State Journal, more than half of the workers surveyed are "not particularly excited" about going to work each day. Nearly 20 percent of workers surveyed are disengaged at work, which results in reduced productivity and morale. What you can learn from this report is that intangible benefits such as flex time and the ability to work on challenging tasks are more important than perks like free lunches. Managers of American companies can use this information to change their compensation and benefits programs or develop new policies.

Managing a diverse workforce is a real challenge, especially when many of those workers are dissatisfied or disengaged. The information in the Gallup State of the American Workplace report can help you make better management decisions and improve morale in your department. Doing so can help you increase productivity and reduce absenteeism and turnover.

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