Employee Engagement Falls to Lowest Level Since 2011

Gallup reports workers' involvement and enthusiasm dropped to 29% in the third quarter as hiring slowed and job mobility stalled.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Employment

Flat-color editorial illustration in deep red and cream showing a single empty office chair beside a worn steel base on a bare ledge, evoking stalled workplace mobility. — Gallup reported employee engagement fell to 29% in the third quarter, the lowest level since 2011, as a low-hire, low-fire job market limits workers' ability to advance. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you feel stuck in your current job because new job opportunities are scarce?

Gallup reported that employee engagement fell to 29% in the third quarter, the lowest level since 2011, after steadily rising through the 2010s and peaking in 2020. The decline comes as a low-hire, low-fire job market limits workers' ability to move up or win raises.

Why it matters

Employees who cannot use outside offers as leverage are staying in roles with fewer opportunities for advancement, which can erode enthusiasm and commitment. Gallup's Jim Harter suggested AI adoption may be outpacing the managerial support needed to make it effective.

Gallup's survey of adults measured engagement at 29% in the third quarter, down from its 2020 peak. Quits rose to 2.1% in September, above the prior 12-month average of about 2%, while hires reached 3.4%.

The players

Gallup

Gallup is a global analytics and advisory firm best known for its long-running workplace and public opinion surveys.

Jim Harter

Jim Harter is Gallup's chief scientist for workplace management and wellbeing, known for research on employee engagement.

New York Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one of twelve regional Federal Reserve banks and runs labor market surveys on workers' expectations.

The details

Fewer employees report clear expectations or feel that someone at work cares about them, according to the survey. Gallup defined engagement as employees' involvement and enthusiasm in their work and workplace.

Employee engagement peaked in 2020 before declining.
In July, 42.1% of people said they were happy with their promotion prospects, per a New York Fed survey.
In September, the quits rate reached 2.1% and the hires rate reached 3.4%.
Engagement dropped to 29% in the third quarter.
Analysts see a possible better job market with more opportunities in 2027.

Market Landscape

Gallup's engagement series climbed through the 2010s and peaked in 2020, and the third-quarter reading of 29% reverses that trend. The drop coincides with a low-hire, low-fire labor market that has limited workers' mobility.

Workers who cannot leverage outside offers may find raises and promotions harder to secure in the current job market. Employees weighing a move should track hiring trends, since a rebound could bring more opportunities.

The takeaway

Employees feeling stuck should document their contributions and track openings across their field, since mobility often returns when hiring picks up. Managers can close the gap by setting clear expectations and checking in on how workers are doing.