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The pandemic and its aftereffects have barely faded from your workplace before a new productivity crisis knocks on the door, with employees losing interest in their jobs.
The “Great Detachment” is a growing phenomenon where younger employees, in particular, have begun to mentally and emotionally detach themselves from their jobs, driven by burnout, lack of career growth and meaningful work.
In numerous studies, significant percentages of employees interviewed declare themselves alienated, discouraged and unengaged in their jobs and workplaces.
The lack of spark and enthusiasm leads them in large numbers to mentally check out, resign from their jobs in silence and handle their work tasks at the absolute minimum, all the while searching in vain for a new job.
Discouraged and burned out
The American research institute Gallup first identified a new trend among employees, coining "The Great Detachment" in a survey conducted before Christmas.
Over the past five years, companies worldwide have faced significant challenges, including a global pandemic, political upheaval, and economic instability. As a result, organizations have had to restructure, reduce budgets, and lay off staff.
![]() ![]() The “Great Detachment” is a growing phenomenon where younger employees, in particular, begin to mentally and emotionally detach from the work due to burnout, a lack of career growth, and the absence of meaningful work. Photos: iStock |
"Today, seven in 10 employees (73%) report that their company has experienced disruptive change over the past year. The more disruptions they have witnessed, the more likely they feel discouraged and burned out today.
The hybrid work styles with changing workplaces have also forced employees to work with varying schedules and have challenged communication and coordination. Physical distancing has created emotional distances," Gallup comments.
Resignation
The many unwelcome changes have made many employees cling tightly to their jobs out of fear and security because new jobs are not hanging on trees. To make matters worse, employers are now cancelling otherwise agreed flexwork arrangements.
Frustrated employees in large numbers are reaching their limit. They feel discouraged and resigned, and they begin to question their work life, career, and future.
![]() ![]() Over the past five years, they have been hit by a global pandemic, political upheaval and economic instability. Companies have had to restructure, lay off staff, reducing budgets. Now, many employees have had enough and are quitting. |
A recent survey conducted by MyPerfectResume, involving 1,150 U.S. employees, revealed that not less than 79% of respondents currently feel discouraged and disengaged at work.
Low pay is one of the main reasons for this resignation and lack of motivation. 33% of respondents say that low pay is a primary source of their apathy, followed by mismatches in values (23%) and unclear expectations for the future (14%).
Better communication
Experts researching the new Great Detachment phenomenon say that one of the most important ways to make employees feel more comfortable and satisfied is to communicate clear expectations and verbalize them regularly.
Companies and organizations should get better at associating individual employee job functions with the overall goals and mission of the workplace.
![]() ![]() Gallup's survey shows that less than half (45%) of employees understand what they are expected to do at work. Only 30% feel their companies value their importance in their job functions. |
"Leaders should clarify and shape the company's values and explain to their employees how each of them contributes to something greater, thereby making them proud of their work and motivating them to succeed."
According to Gallup's survey, less than half (45%) of responding employees know what their boss in details is expecting from them at work. Only 30% think their company makes them feel important in their job performance. ●
Read more:
Gallup.com: The Great Detachment - why employees feel stuck
Cnbc.com: Workers don’t understand the purpose of their jobs or companies
Fortune.com: ‘The Great Detachment’ has 79% of employees disengaged at work
Thedailyupside.com: ‘The Great Detachment’ is the defining workplace trend of 2025