Remote workers more engaged, less likely to be thriving: Gallup

Remote employees are the most likely to be engaged at work but are less likely to be thriving at it, according to a survey published Thursday. 

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report found that 31 percent of remote workers were engaged at work, marking 8 points higher than both those in a hybrid or on-site nonremote-capable setting, at 23 percent. Less than 2 in 10 of those who are only able to work on-site said they have been engaged at work. 

Despite registering higher engagement, remote workers were not as likely to be thriving, 36 percent, compared to those on-site remote-capable employees and hybrid workers at 42 percent each. About 30 percent of workers who are only able to work on-site said they are thriving, the report found. 

Those employees working in a fully remote setting were more likely to feel sadness, loneliness and anger compared to on-site or hybrid workers. 

Hybrid and remote workers reported about the same amount of stress levels, 45 percent, but they reported about 7 points higher than those who work on-site. 

The report tracks how employees around the world are doing in their lives and work. 

A majority — 57 percent — of fully remote workers worldwide were actively searching or passively looking for new job opportunities. The figure is 10 points lower, 47 percent, among those fully remote employees who are engaged, according to the report. 

Just less than 4 in 10 fully remote employees who are both thriving and engaged said they are searching for new jobs while on the clock. 

A poll from YouGov that came out last month found that most Americans, 62 percent, said they believe their job is meaningful to society. 

Gallup surveyed 227,347 workers around the world from April to December last year.