79% of employees are disengaged at work

The Modern Workplace Faces a Productivity Crisis as Employee Engagement Plummets

The workplace is in the midst of a productivity crisis, with 79% of employees feeling disengaged in their current roles, according to a new study of over 1,100 U.S. workers conducted by MyPerfectResume, a CV platform.

Why Are Employees Checking Out?

One of the biggest factors behind this disengagement is low pay, with 33% of employees citing it as the primary cause of their lack of motivation. Other key issues include:

• Misaligned values (23%) – Employees feel disconnected from their company’s mission and culture.
• Unclear expectations (14%) – Lack of direction leaves workers feeling unmotivated.

"Companies should take this data as a wake-up call and start taking employee compensation seriously," says Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume.

What Can Employers Do?

To combat disengagement, Escalera urges companies to reassess their pay structures, ensuring wages align with market rates. She also recommends:

• Regular compensation reviews to keep salaries competitive.
• Bonuses and raises outside of annual performance reviews to reward extra effort.
• Expanding incentive programs that go beyond just financial compensation.

However, money alone won’t solve the issue. Workers are also demanding:

• Better work-life balance and flexibility (47%) – Companies must rethink return-to-office policies.
• More manageable workloads – 49% of employees cite high workloads as a major stressor.
• Clearer communication from leadership (44%) – Employees want stronger direction and guidance.

A Call for HR Leaders to Act

HR leaders must listen and respond to employee concerns by expanding professional development opportunities, implementing incentive programs, and ensuring fair, competitive compensation.

"When HR actively listens and responds, they can implement meaningful changes that truly align with what employees want," Escalera emphasizes.