Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Ok, here’s a question for you. Are you happy at work? In your life? Gallup’s latest report reveals only 31 percent of U.S. workers say they’re engaged, meaning nearly seven in 10 feel detached or disengaged. That marks a 10-year low for employee engagement. So, how can you reconnect?
Feeling distance from your co-workers, like you’re just going through the motions every day, and are just numb? You may be experiencing emotional detachment.
“Emotional detachment is when we’re sort of moving away from or walling off from our feelings as a form of protection,” said Kelly Lafferman, LMHC, Kelly Lafferman Therapy & Counseling.
Detachment is often a form of self-protection.
“It’s kind of like a volume knob where you are using it to sort of help maybe turn down the volume of something that feels intense or big, explained Lafferman.
But therapist Kelly Lafferman says turning down that volume comes with a cost.
“Maybe you’re trying to turn down the volume of stress, but at the same time that turns down the volume of joy. So, you’re sort of just feeling that sense of flatness,” said Lafferman.
Longterm detachment can have an opposite effect by causing burnout, increased stress, and damaging workplace relationships. If you’ve found that you’ve detached, there are some strategies to reconnect.
“Naming it is really critical. Once you name it, then you can maybe identify where’s it’s coming from. Is it coming from my job duties and responsibilities? Do I need to have a meeting with my boss? Does it come from the people I’m working around? Is it because I work from home, and I want more interaction at work? Then once you identify what it is that potentially feels disconnected, you can actually do something with that,” explained Lafferman.
Detaching might help you survive the day, but reconnecting is what helps you thrive long-term.
A new report shows 67 percent of workers around the world say they’re not thriving in their lives and half feel stressed every single day. That loss of engagement cost the global economy an estimated 438 billion dollars last year. Experts say recognizing that disconnect is the first step to changing it.
Contributors to this news report include: Marcy Wilder, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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Sources:
https://www.inspired-engagement.com/wp-content/uploads/Gallup_Global_Workplace_2025_Synopsis.pdf
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspx
