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U.S. Worker Engagement Drops to Lowest Level Since 2011, Gallup Poll Finds
Key points
- U.S. worker engagement reached 29% in Q3 2026.
- This is the lowest engagement level recorded since 2011.
- Decline concentrated in remote/hybrid workers, especially with AI adoption.
- Approximately 3.2 million fewer engaged workers quarter-over-quarter.
Worker Engagement Declines
Gallup's quarterly polling on U.S. workforce engagement reported a decline to 29% in the third quarter of 2026. This figure marks the lowest level of worker engagement recorded since 2011. The poll tracks employees' focus, motivation, and enthusiasm for their jobs.
Impact on Remote and Hybrid Workers
The decrease in engagement was primarily observed among remote and hybrid employees across the U.S. Gallup specifically noted this trend in organizations that have implemented artificial intelligence. The decline represents a significant shift, with each percentage point equating to about 1.6 million U.S. employees.
Historical Context and Recent Trends
Gallup has conducted this poll since 2000, with engagement levels typically ranging between 26% and 30% until 2013. The all-time peak of 36% occurred during 2020. Following this peak, engagement has been on a downward trend, reaching 31% by 2024 and remaining at that level through the first half of 2026 before the recent drop to 29%.
Declining Morale Indicators
Beyond overall engagement, other indicators of morale also declined. In Q3 2026, 46% of workers strongly agreed they knew what was expected of them, down from 49% in the first half of the year. Additionally, 37% strongly agreed their supervisor or someone at work cared, a decrease from 40% in the first half of the year. These measures had already shown the largest five-year declines in Gallup's polling by 2025.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A recent Gallup poll indicates that U.S. worker engagement fell to 29% in Q3 2026, the lowest level since 2011. This decline was concentrated among remote and hybrid employees, particularly in organizations adopting AI, and represents a decrease of approximately 3.2 million engaged workers quarter-over-quarter.