Global employee engagement plummeted to a post-Covid low of 20% in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of decline, according to HR Brew. The persistent decline in engagement signals a deepening crisis across the global workforce.
Companies are pouring billions into new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to improve work, yet global employee engagement continues its descent, and worker stress levels remain high. The current investment strategy clearly misses the mark for the modern workplace. For more, see our Global Employee Engagement Hits Lowest.
The persistent decline in engagement and high stress levels, despite significant technological investments, indicates a critical failure. Companies that do not fundamentally rethink employee well-being and work design will likely face escalating talent retention issues and decreased productivity.
Understanding Global Workforce Disengagement
- Globally, 40% of workers reported experiencing stress within the last 24 hours, according to HR Brew. The pervasive stress reported by 40% of workers directly undermines employee well-being.
- Manager engagement dropped from 31% in 2022 to 22% in 2025, according to Unleash. The substantial decline in manager engagement erodes overall team morale and effectiveness.
The simultaneous rise in worker stress and fall in manager engagement confirms a systemic issue. It impacts both individual contributors and those tasked with leadership, suggesting a fundamental crisis in management effectiveness, not just frontline worker sentiment.
Do AI Investments Improve Employee Work?
Companies invest billions in AI, yet only 12% of workers believe it has meaningfully changed how work gets done, according to Unleash. The substantial expenditures on AI fail to deliver perceived improvements for the workforce.
