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Remote workers are more likely to be engaged than their on-site or hybrid peers, but are also significantly more likely to be emotionally strained and seeking new job opportunities, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report.
The findings pose a fresh challenge to HR and people leaders seeking to retain top talent in remote-first or flexible work settings. While 31% of fully remote employees worldwide reported being engaged at work, engagement dropped to 23% among both hybrid workers and those on-site in roles with no remote capability. Fewer than two in ten workers in fully on-site, non-remote-capable jobs said they felt engaged.
Wellbeing gap despite higher engagement
Although remote workers top the charts on engagement, they lag in overall wellbeing. Only 36% of fully remote employees reported they were thriving, compared with 42% of hybrid and on-site remote-capable staff. The figure dropped to 30% for employees required to work entirely on-site in roles that do not allow for flexibility.
The report classifies workers as “thriving” based on high scores for both current life satisfaction and expectations for the future.
Remote employees were also more prone to negative emotions, with higher reported levels of sadness, loneliness and anger than those in hybrid or fully on-site roles. Stress was a common thread across all arrangements, with 45% of both remote and hybrid employees saying they felt stressed during the previous day, a figure seven points higher than that of fully on-site workers.
Retention risk among remote high performers
The disconnect between high engagement and poor wellbeing may be contributing to elevated attrition risks. Gallup found that 57% of fully remote workers were either actively or passively job hunting. Among those who were both engaged and remote, 47% were still looking for a new opportunity.
Even employees who were both thriving and engaged reported an increased likelihood of seeking a new role. Almost four in ten in that high-performing group admitted to job hunting while still on the job.
The findings come as HR leaders continue to navigate the long-term effects of remote and hybrid work models introduced during the pandemic. Although a recent YouGov poll found that 62% of American workers believe their jobs are meaningful to society, Gallup’s results suggest that many employees, particularly remote ones, are re-evaluating their futures.
The Gallup survey, which drew on responses from over 227,000 workers, offers a snapshot of the emotional and professional state of the global workforce. For employers, it serves as a warning that high engagement alone may not be enough to keep remote talent on board.
