Gallup's Top Workplace Stories of 2022

Did you quiet quit last year? Quiet fire someone? Return to the office? Go hybrid? Search for remote jobs?

In 2022, the workplace made headlines. The Great Reshuffle continued, public support for unions reached a 57-year high and being in the office meant Tuesday through Thursday for many employees.

During this transformational year, Gallup researchers made new discoveries about what employees want from work, the best ways to lead hybrid teams and the changing nature of workplace culture.

Here are some of Gallup's most-read workplace articles of the past year:

1. Is Quiet Quitting Real?

The concept of “quiet quitting” went viral in online culture during 2022. But many wondered if it was a real trend or just hype. Gallup found that U.S. employee engagement continued to decline in the second quarter of 2022, while actively disengaged employees rose. Half of U.S. workers are doing the minimum required and are psychologically detached from their job. And the ratio of engaged to actively disengaged employees is now 1.8 to 1, the lowest in almost a decade.

See also: Quiet Firing: What It Is and How to Stop Doing It

 

2. The Future of Hybrid Work: 5 Key Questions Answered With Data

Approximately half of U.S. full-time workers report that their current job can be done remotely, at least part of the time. These workers have experienced a year of tug-of-war as leader expectations clashed with employee desires. Most organizations are settling on some kind of hybrid work. But what’s the best way to navigate hybrid work? In March, we broke down our key findings on the most productive and engaging way to do hybrid. In August, we revealed worker preferences about hybrid and remote. But don’t miss our November update on the best ways to coordinate hybrid work.

 

3. U.S. Employee Engagement Drops for First Year in a Decade

At the start of 2022, U.S. employee engagement saw its first annual decline in a decade, and this trend continued into the spring. This means that across the country, employees feel less connected to and less enthusiastic about their work -- which aligns with a sharp decline in employees who feel their employer cares about their wellbeing. This is concerning for many organizations, but an opportunity for some to distinguish themselves as exceptional workplaces that attract and keep talented people.

 

4. 7 People Management Skills You Need to Succeed This Year

Gallup analyzed what separates top performers from everyone else across hundreds of job roles and a variety of industries to identify the most important skills to be successful in any role. The top seven skills all deal with interacting with others, and they are especially important for managers. In addition, while these skills are universal, they may require special attention and intention in a new world of remote and hybrid work.

 

5. The Top 6 Things Employees Want in Their Next Job

When Gallup studied what employees are looking for in their next job, we discovered something surprising: Both pay and wellbeing have risen significantly in importance for employees. Employees may be seeking higher pay because they are aware that wages are increasing in the competitive job market. On the other hand, employees’ increased desire for personal wellbeing may be due to high levels of burnout and stress and a new awareness of job flexibility following the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

6. Don't Confuse 'Being in the Office' With 'Culture'

One of Gallup’s most surprising workplace findings of 2022 is this: Hybrid workers feel more connected to their organization’s culture than do fully on-site workers. This challenges the common view that being in the office preserves company culture. The truth is that few employees feel connected to their organization’s culture -- but hybrid work may be making remote work and in-office work more intentional and meaningful.

 

7. The Increasing Importance of a Best Friend at Work

Over the years, Gallup’s research has consistently shown that having a best friend at work makes work itself more engaging. Recent Gallup data reveal that work friendships have become even more important since the start of the pandemic. A best friend at work can provide emotional support and help employees shoulder an intense workload and stay in the loop on important team information. They also help employees own their work, even when working remotely.