What is boredom costing your company?

Since 2000, Gallup’s Engagement Survey has measured the “involvement and enthusiasm of employees in both their work and workplace”. Alarmingly, the rate of employee engagement in Australia is just 20% (based on data aggregated from 2020, 2021, 2022. But, the possibility for higher engagement is demonstrated by best-practice organisations, whose global rate is much more impressive at 72%(for 2022).

Why is there such a difference in employee engagement between the global rate and best-practice organisations? One reason could be that these organisations successfully “incorporate aspects of engagement into all elements of the employee experience”. Particularly, by attracting employees who are genuinely interested in the company’s mission and hiring those who fit the role well so they have the opportunity to perform roles best aligned with their strengths.

In this way, these organisations are reducing the likelihood of these employees becoming bored on the job.

We can see that employees who are bored at work risk:

• withdrawal from work

• depression or anxiety

• dissatisfaction at work

• engaging in unsafe work practices

• absenteeism

• fast turnover

• theft of company property

Generally speaking, employees’ productivity and wellbeing is at risk. And it’s not just felt individually. Boredom is a “dissatisfying or negative emotional state”, that can prove to be an “emotional contagion” in the workplace, with others following suit or completing rupturing team dynamics.

Are you concerned about boredom in the workplace?

Discover how a tailored engagement program for your organisation could look. Find out more here.