U.S. Employee Engagement Drops to Lowest Level Since 2011
A new Gallup poll reveals that U.S. employee engagement fell to 29% in the third quarter of 2026, marking its lowest level since 2011. This decline represents a two-percentage-point drop from the first half of the year and signifies a loss of approximately 3.2 million engaged workers compared to the previous quarter. The downturn is most pronounced among remote and hybrid employees, particularly within organizations that have integrated artificial intelligence. The data suggests a growing disconnect in workplace communication and role clarity, as morale metrics regarding supervisor support and job expectations continue to trend downward from their 2020 peaks.
Topics: artificial intelligence employee engagement labor market remote work workforce statistics