After going up in recent years, employee engagement in the U.S. saw its first annual decline in a decade, dropping from 36% in 2020 to 34% in 2021, according to Gallup data.
This pattern has continued into early 2022, as 32% of full- and part-time employees working for organizations were engaged, while 17% are actively disengaged, an increase of one percentage point from the previous year.
The researchers said that some of the elements that decreased the most during this period were people’s level of agreement that they have clear expectations, the right materials and equipment, the opportunity to do what they do best every day, and a connection to the mission or purpose of their organization.
But to get a better understanding of how these factors manifest in real life, let’s take a look at the Instagram account ‘Employed AF.’ It shares memes about the struggles in jobs from all sorts of industries, hilariously describing what it’s like to be a part of the modern workforce.
More info: Instagram
#1
iamemployedaf , ItsRobbAllen Report
Final score: 327points 
Karen Grace Karen Grace Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I love this!
41 41points reply #2
iamemployedaf , AerinChevyFord Report
Final score: 315points 
Bored something Bored something Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Oh this is gold.
76 76points reply
Employers should take note of these memes too. In a perfect world, they should be aware of their workers’ emotional state. “Disengaged, unhappy people aren’t any fun to work with, don’t add much value, and impact our organizations (and our economy) in profoundly negative ways,” says Annie McKee, who is a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and the director of the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program.
“It’s even worse when leaders are disengaged because they infect others with their attitude. Their emotions and mindset impact others’ moods and performance tremendously. After all, how we feel is linked to what and how we think. In other words, thought influences emotion, and emotion influences thinking.”
#3
iamemployedaf , kycarrerolopez Report
Final score: 299points 
STress (I/me) STress (I/me) Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
That’s why they call it “a job”. Otherwise, it’d be named “a hobby”…
56 56points reply View More Replies… #4
iamemployedaf , jglackk Report
Final score: 288points 
Ditto Ditto Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Yeah, money makes life easier to live in, easier life makes you more comfortable, more comfortable makes you happy so sure in long chain of things, money does sorta equal happiness
63 63points reply View More Replies… #5
Final score: 282points Miki Miki Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
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McKee believes that it’s time to finally blow up the myth that feelings don’t matter at work.
“Science is on our side,” she says. “There are clear neurological links between feelings, thoughts, and actions. When we are in the grip of strong negative emotions, it’s like having blinders on. We focus mostly — sometimes only — on the source of the pain. We don’t process information as well, think creatively, or make good decisions. Frustration, anger, and stress cause an important part of us to shut down —the thinking, engaged part. Disengagement is a natural neurological and psychological response to pervasive negative emotions.”
#6
iamemployedaf , KarlreMarks Report
Final score: 272points Bored something Bored something Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Doesn’t seem quite fair, does it.
32 32points reply View More Replies… #7
iamemployedaf , causticbob Report
Final score: 264points aj aj Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 month ago Report
Aw, yes, when I moved to a town where schools were closed and it was expected to call in to go skiing on a bluebird day… I was like, why doesn’t this exist EVERYWHERE??? This feels like a daydream ❄️
29 29points reply View More Replies… #8
iamemployedaf , Lhlodder Report
Final score: 241points VioletHunter VioletHunter Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Smart grandma. Everyone should have separate accounts though. They don’t even have to be secret.
81 81points reply View More Replies… #9
iamemployedaf , LauraAnnSTL Report
Final score: 237points Ditto Ditto Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
But thats just my resting face…?
47 47points reply
Over the span of a few years, McKee and her team at the Teleos Leadership Institute have set out to study dozens of organizations and interviewed thousands of people.
Their findings about the links between people’s feelings and engagement are fascinating. “There are clear similarities in what people say they want and need, no matter where they are from, whom they work for, or what they do,” she explains. “We often assume that there are huge differences across industries and around the world but the research challenges that assumption.”
#10
Final score: 220points #11
Final score: 218points 
Vasana Phong Vasana Phong Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
When ever a boss goes” can I speak to you in my office “, of course your heart rate is going to go up, so saying that beforehand is just wonderful
74 74points reply View More Replies… #12
iamemployedaf , McJesse Report
Final score: 212points 
Alex Davis Alex Davis Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I know some companies that do sort of ‘school trips’ with their employees. One place I worked at we went on a water sports day out and learnt all about the reservoir we were at worked and then got to have fun doing various water sports or land based activities for those who didn’t want water. Should happen more often imo, was great none forced team bonding. We also did bowling, trips to national trust places and all sorts. They weren’t compulsory but everyone went. Staff moral was so high and I’m still friends with many 10+ years later!
54 54points reply View More Replies… #13
Final score: 207points 
detective miller's hat detective miller's hat Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
If I don’t say some version of this at least once a day, am I even doing my job?
23 23points reply
To be fully engaged and happy, virtually everyone told the researchers they wanted three things, starting with a meaningful vision of the future.
“When people talked with our … team about what was working or not in their organizations, and what helped or hindered them the most, they talked about vision,” McKee shared.
“People want to be able to see the future and know how they fit in. And, as we know from our work with Richard Boyatzis on intentional change, people learn and change when they have a personal vision that is linked to an organizational vision.”
Sadly, far too many leaders do not paint a very compelling vision of the future and they don’t communicate well. This is a major reason why they lose people.
#14
Final score: 206points 
Lexekon Lexekon Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
She seems experienced in these events, I will follow her lead.
52 52points reply View More Replies… #15
iamemployedaf , madebymagnolia Report
Final score: 192points 
CwtchyMama CwtchyMama Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Is it normal that I assume as a pet as adverse to say for lunch
34 34points reply View More Replies… #16
iamemployedaf , jnardino Report
Final score: 185points 
Fakeus nameus Fakeus nameus Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Week??? Next year
23 23points reply View More Replies… #17
iamemployedaf , katmcgoldrick Report
Final score: 182points 
ToastedFroggy ToastedFroggy Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
🎶Workin’ 9 to 5🎶
46 46points reply View More Replies…
Then, there’s a sense of purpose. “People want to feel as if their work matters, and that their contributions help to achieve something really important,” McKee continued.
“And except for those at the tippy top, shareholder value isn’t a meaningful goal that excites and engages them. They want to know that they — and their organizations — are doing something big that matters to other people.”
#18
iamstarvingaf , talktoskirt Report
Final score: 175points 
TheElementalGod️️ TheElementalGod️️ Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Honesty is important folks.
27 27points reply View More Replies… #19
iamemployedaf , KawaiiZealot Report
Final score: 169points 
Chihuahua Mama Chihuahua Mama Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
It’s quite traumatizing actually. Especially on those cold winter mornings
31 31points reply View More Replies… #20
iamemployedaf , thDRAGnrebOrN Report
Final score: 166points Ditto Ditto Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Genius, I’m stealing that
29 29points reply View More Replies… #21
Final score: 162points detective miller's hat detective miller's hat Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I was kind of hoping for some grey at my temples at this point so I can finally look like an Adult. 39, none have shown up yet.
5 5points reply View More Replies…
Finally, we have great relationships. According to McKee, people join an organization and leave a boss, so a dissonant relationship with your superior is downright painful.
But so too are bad relationships with colleagues. Leaders, managers, and employees have all told the researchers that close, trusting, and supportive relationships are hugely important to their state of mind — and their willingness to contribute to a team.
#22
Final score: 159points Fakeus nameus Fakeus nameus Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Some days I feel like I should just climb out the window and leave
21 21points reply #23
Final score: 157points 
Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
And the people in charge seem to be the ones who are worst at ‘winging it’.
33 33points reply View More Replies… #24
Final score: 156points Libstak Libstak Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
There are a few things to unpack here…
51 51points reply View More Replies… #25
iamemployedaf , xjessevansxx Report
Final score: 154points Miki Miki Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I prefer work over school BIG TIME
52 52points reply View More Replies…
Emotions matter a lot at work, and happiness is important to everyone. To find out more about the stuff that gets in its way, open up our previous publication on the ‘Employed AF’ Instagram account.
#26
Final score: 153points Alvia Vseobecna Alvia Vseobecna Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
this is so true
19 19points reply #27
iamemployedaf , danielleweisber Report
Final score: 151points Ditto Ditto Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Then there are people who are seeing these beautiful places AS their career!!!
34 34points reply View More Replies… #28
iamemployedaf , Kayleyyy_G Report
Final score: 149points 
Mart Se Mart Se Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Pretty sure ms excel causes lots of suīcīdes every year
40 40points reply View More Replies… #29
iamemployedaf , femaleredhead Report
Final score: 148points Ditto Ditto Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
“tech daddy” is officially added to my mental dictionary
61 61points reply #30
Final score: 142points Passerby Passerby Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 month ago (edited) Report
I teach online, and I sometimes use those 3 minutes to ponder whether I should quickly use the toilet, or hold it in for a while so I have a legitimate excuse to have a small break during the class. Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching, but it can be so tedious at times, especially when it is at the end of the day and I have been teaching for 5+ hours already. (For reference, I once had around 180 hours of teaching in a month. It’s not my current workplace. Mind you, this is just teaching hour and nothing else.)
16 16points reply #31
Final score: 139points Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Has to be 15 years. No way they could have the necessary experience after only 10 years. As for 5 years experience, ha!, worthless rookies.
22 22points reply #32
Final score: 138points Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
In Australia, Xmas and New Year are summer events, so we have that going for us, which is nice. (Going the the beach on Xmas Day is almost a tradition for lots of us.)
40 40points reply View More Replies… #33
iamemployedaf , bbybeanburrito Report
Final score: 136points VioletHunter VioletHunter Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
As if Gen Z knows how to handle anything that’s not a smartphone.
25 25points reply View More Replies… #34
Final score: 134points Mart Se Mart Se Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Lindsay must be living in USA. We have most of these in Europe
44 44points reply View More Replies… #35
Final score: 134points 
Ample Aardvark Ample Aardvark Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 month ago Report
No calls, I want this conversation fully documented in writing!
41 41points reply View More Replies… #36
Final score: 127points HurlWurk HurlWurk Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago (edited) Report
I just reply to emails “my fault, it’s fixed”, and move on. People don’t know how to attack someone that accepts blame easily, but they can waste hours complaining about people who dodge responsibility for missing an apostrophe.
37 37points reply View More Replies… #37
iamemployedaf , andlikelaura Report
Final score: 126points 
Megalodon Meg Megalodon Meg Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
My boss just called me into his office to ask if I had any more peppermint patties
39 39points reply View More Replies… #38
Final score: 119points Chihuahua Mama Chihuahua Mama Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
A crisp $20 bill also does the trick
56 56points reply View More Replies… #39
Final score: 118points Nichole Harris Nichole Harris Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
My hubby and I do that together….. We alternate reassuring each other that we’re not horrible lazy people 🤣
26 26points reply View More Replies… #40
Final score: 115points Chihuahua Mama Chihuahua Mama Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago (edited) Report
My favourite screen is the back of my eyelids…. sleep, my favourite “activity” is sleep. Never seen such new and creative content anywhere else.
39 39points reply View More Replies… #41
Final score: 110points Lexekon Lexekon Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I think we all subscribe to this wisdom, on the inside.
20 20points reply #42
Final score: 110points 
Jason Jason Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I’m bad about this in general. If I look like I’m interested it’s cause I’m bored as f**k and have set my body on autopilot so I can dream about anything else. If I look like I don’t care it’s because I’m actually paying attention listening and I’m using that autopilot brainpower to actually compute, remember, and listen to what you are saying. Same with taking notes.
16 16points reply #43
Final score: 107points Amy Manning Amy Manning Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago (edited) Report
No one really talks about the fact that the 8 hour work day was designed for men who have wives at home doing all the things we still have to do when we get done with our 8 hour work day. Like cooking, cleaning, laundry, changing the bed, and washing the dishes. We all have multiple full-time jobs at this point, but we only get paid for one of them. Happy Monday.
54 54points reply View More Replies… #44
iamemployedaf , ronnui_ Report
Final score: 106points Ditto Ditto Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
And that meeting has nowhere near as many layers as the Shrek stories!
44 44points reply View More Replies… #45
iamemployedaf , anxious_silence Report
Final score: 105points Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
‘Fast paced ‘ means ‘we have no planning skills, so every thing is done in a rush’ and ‘dynamic’ means ‘we have no idea where we’re headed with anything, so we’re constantly changing the rules and moving the goalposts’.
44 44points reply View More Replies… #46
Final score: 99points 
TheBlueBitterfly TheBlueBitterfly Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago (edited) Report
And the 3rd alarm for “Sink shower, dry hairspray, cold poptart in the car, and I look like crack today.”Edit: I just realized I meant dry shampoo. I slept through my 3rd alarm, obviously.. 😅
47 47points reply View More Replies… #47
Final score: 98points Chihuahua Mama Chihuahua Mama Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Adutlhood. The crushing weight is adulthood
42 42points reply View More Replies… #48
Final score: 95points Gustav Gallifrey Gustav Gallifrey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I’m a Boomer, and i seem to recall that this was our philosophy decades ago. Millennials/GenZ becoming Boomers?
24 24points reply View More Replies… #49
iamemployedaf , jacobroyspiegel Report
Final score: 94points 
Panda Dressed as a Capybara 😉 Panda Dressed as a Capybara 😉 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
Is it just me, or when a post has no comments I have no idea what to say, however when a post has comments I have the brightest idea in the world?
11 11points reply View More Replies… #50
iamemployedaf , Reductress Report
Final score: 81points TheElementalGod️️ TheElementalGod️️ Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 month ago Report
I have found my long lost twin
15 15points reply
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