Workers in Japan Have the Lowest Engagement Levels Worldwide

In today's uncertain global economy, employers depend on the knowledge, skills, energy and dedication of their people to boost performance and drive results. But in Japan, only 3% of employees are fully engaged in their jobs, according to the findings of Towers Perrin's just-released 2007-2008 study — Turbocharging the Talent Pipeline: Total Rewards Strategies for Uncertain Times. Research results reflect feedback from over 88,000 employees in 18 countries worldwide.

Engagement impacts both performance and retention. Equally important, the more highly engaged employees are, the more committed they are to staying with an organization. That's why dismal engagement levels are particularly disturbing for employers in Japan, where a record number of baby boomers are already heading out the door — leaving behind less experienced, younger talent to close the gaps.

What's more:

• 72% of employees are disenchanted or disengaged, otherwise considered "checked out."
• 36% of disenchanted employees and 22% of disengaged employees have no plans to leave.

Closing the Engagement Gap

Despite our troubling findings, there's also good news: Employees in Japan are eager to invest more of themselves and help their company succeed if they can reap the personal ROI.

What Employees Value

• challenging work and career advancement opportunities
• senior leaders and frontline managers who inspire mutual respect, fairness, enthusiasm and teamwork
• high professional standards
• flexible working arrangements conducive to work/life balance.

Bottom line: Companies that focus on leadership, career and professional development, and improving the work environment can drive performance and retention of top talent by closing the engagement gap.