The Great Detachment: Employee Engagement At All Time Low
Blog
The "Great Resignation" was just the beginning of a more dangerous trend: the Great Detachment. Employees are still showing up to work, but many are mentally checked out, resulting in decreased productivity and morale.
According to Gallup’s latest workplace study, engagement levels have hit a decade-long low, with workers feeling disconnected from leadership and uncertain about their future. The root cause? Generational misalignment. For the first time, five generations are working side-by-side, yet companies are still leading them the same way, resulting in disengagement across the board.
Let's break down these generational needs and explore generationally tailored solutions to get your workforce back on track.
A Workforce Misaligned by Generational Needs
A one-size-fits-all approach to employee engagement just doesn't work. Each generation faces unique challenges:
Boomers (1946–1964) feel sidelined, with their decades of experience often ignored.
Gen X (1965–1980) is overburdened as the bridge between old and new systems and often feels unsupported.
Millennials (1981–1996) seek purpose but face career disillusionment.
Gen Z (1997–2012) struggles with workplace expectations and a culture that doesn't fit their needs.
Understanding these challenges is the first step in reigniting engagement.
The Three-Step Fix: A Generational Playbook for Engagement
Precision Recognition: Tailor Praise to What Each Generation Values Recognition needs to be personalized:
The Engagement Bridge: Reverse Mentorship & Cross-Generational Pairing Reverse mentorship allows younger and older employees to exchange insights. By fostering cross-generational collaboration, organizations can improve knowledge retention and collaboration by 30%.
The Career GPS: Personalized Growth Tracks for Each Generation Tailor career growth paths:
Measuring Success: Generationally Focused Engagement Metrics
Rather than relying on generic engagement surveys, companies must implement generationally focused metrics to accurately assess engagement levels:
Boomers: Measure satisfaction with mentorship and legacy-building.
Gen X: Track satisfaction with autonomy and career advancement.
Millennials: Assess alignment with purpose, work-life balance, and flexibility.
Gen Z: Evaluate feedback frequency and career clarity.
Organizations that use these generationally tailored strategies can reduce disengagement by 50%.
How QDOT Can Help
At QDOT, we specialize in using behavioral science assessments to help businesses bridge generational gaps and tailor engagement strategies. Our insights can guide your organization in building more personalized, effective strategies for boosting employee engagement, increasing retention, and driving productivity.
