- Workers in the United States and Canada had the highest levels of daily stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gallup
- At the same time, worker engagement improved as employers sought to improve communication and make other accommodations for their employees
- Tips for how employers can continue to create a supportive environment
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Workers in the United States and Canada encountered the highest levels of daily stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gallup’s “State of the Global Workforce: 2021 Report.” At the same time, worker engagement in these nations improved even as it declined globally.
Key findings included:
- Women and younger employees were more likely to experience stress during the pandemic
- Higher engagement was attributed to better communication and flexibility offered by employers, the increased prevalence of remote work, and more meaningful feedback
- Despite the improved engagement levels, two-thirds of Americans and 80 percent of Canadians said they were not fully engaged at work
- Workers who said they were engaged at their job but not thriving in their overall lives had a 61 percent higher rate of burnout
- Employers encouraged to create a more supportive environment, measure the engagement and well-being of their employees, and undergo training in order to have more meaningful conversations with their employees.
