[Australia] Employee engagement falls to just 16%

New research has revealed that fewer than one in five (16 per cent) Australian employees are fully engaged while carrying out their work, a decrease from 18 per cent the previous year, HR Leader reports.

ADP’s People at Work 2025 report found that Australia’s engagement rates are higher for employees operating out of the office or on-site (17 per cent) than for hybrid workers (15 per cent). According to its data, remote workers are experiencing an engagement rate of only 7 per cent.

This is reportedly in contrast with previous claims and global trends showing hybrid workplace arrangements promoting greater workforce engagement.

ADP said Australian hybrid and remote workers might experience a more profound disconnect from their teams and company culture, adding to their disengagement.

Emmy Andriotis - human resources director at ADP - said, “Our research demonstrates employee engagement ultimately comes down to how connected employees feel to their teams and employers, no matter where they work.

“Businesses should recognise that one-size-fits-all approaches no longer work, especially in an increasingly hybrid workforce. Investing in personalised, flexible solutions and cultivating a sense of belonging is a great starting point to bridge the gap, ensuring employees feel connected, valued, and motivated - whether they’re working from home or the office.”

Regarding office attendance data, 56 per cent of employees surveyed worldwide said that they work on-site every day (a two-point increase from the previous year), while only 12 per cent work exclusively remotely, and 32 per cent work in hybrid mode (down two percentage points compared to last year).

The data reportedly highlighted that the engagement rates of workers with the freedom to decide their working arrangements were higher. However, just one in five Australian workers has such autonomy, with a rate of 21 per cent compared to countries such as India (45 per cent), Singapore (27 per cent) and neighbouring countries like New Zealand (24 per cent).

Such findings demonstrate the importance of flexibility for workers and how this workplace benefit intersects with employee productivity and engagement. Hybrid working arrangements are reportedly the preferred model, boosting face-to-face communication whilst maintaining flexibility.

Source: HR Leader

(Quotes via original reporting)

New research has revealed that fewer than one in five (16 per cent) Australian employees are fully engaged while carrying out their work, a decrease from 18 per cent the previous year, HR Leader reports.

ADP’s People at Work 2025 report found that Australia’s engagement rates are higher for employees operating out of the office or on-site (17 per cent) than for hybrid workers (15 per cent). According to its data, remote workers are experiencing an engagement rate of only 7 per cent.

This is reportedly in contrast with previous claims and global trends showing hybrid workplace arrangements promoting greater workforce engagement.

ADP said Australian hybrid and remote workers might experience a more profound disconnect from their teams and company culture, adding to their disengagement.

Emmy Andriotis - human resources director at ADP - said, “Our research demonstrates employee engagement ultimately comes down to how connected employees feel to their teams and employers, no matter where they work.

“Businesses should recognise that one-size-fits-all approaches no longer work, especially in an increasingly hybrid workforce. Investing in personalised, flexible solutions and cultivating a sense of belonging is a great starting point to bridge the gap, ensuring employees feel connected, valued, and motivated - whether they’re working from home or the office.”

Regarding office attendance data, 56 per cent of employees surveyed worldwide said that they work on-site every day (a two-point increase from the previous year), while only 12 per cent work exclusively remotely, and 32 per cent work in hybrid mode (down two percentage points compared to last year).

The data reportedly highlighted that the engagement rates of workers with the freedom to decide their working arrangements were higher. However, just one in five Australian workers has such autonomy, with a rate of 21 per cent compared to countries such as India (45 per cent), Singapore (27 per cent) and neighbouring countries like New Zealand (24 per cent).

Such findings demonstrate the importance of flexibility for workers and how this workplace benefit intersects with employee productivity and engagement. Hybrid working arrangements are reportedly the preferred model, boosting face-to-face communication whilst maintaining flexibility.

Source: HR Leader

(Quotes via original reporting)