- About 60 per cent of employees in Sub-Saharan Africa are showing disconnection from their work.
- A big number of employees in Sub-Saharan Africa are turning to “quiet quitting” to express their job dissatisfaction.
- The affected individuals are more likely to experience stress and burnout due to their sense of being lost.
Sub-Saharan Africa leads the world with the highest number of most unhappy employees. The situation, largely referred to as “quiet quitting” is becoming prevalent among the majority of employees in Sub-Saharan Africa. Employees are turning to “quite quitting” as a means of expressing their dissatisfaction with their current jobs.
The worrying trend has resulted in Sub-Saharan Africa recording the highest regional percentage of employees who are actively looking for new job opportunities.
Most unhappy employees show least effort
According to the State of the Global Workplace 2023 report by Gallup, approximately 60 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s employees are currently in a phase characterized by minimal effort and disconnection from their work. However, the report notes that only 20 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s employees are thriving in their jobs and finding them personally rewarding.
The report highlights that individuals in the thriving category take pride in their work, assume ownership of their performance, and go the extra mile to support their colleagues and customers.
On the other hand, those practicing “quiet quitting” merely occupy their seats and watch the clock, putting in the bare minimum effort required.
Psychologically, they feel detached from their employers. Despite being minimally productive, these individuals are more likely to experience stress and burnout due to their sense of being lost and disconnected from their workplace.
The report further states that low employee engagement resulting from “quiet quitting” could potentially lead to a global loss of productivity amounting to $8.8 trillion. This loss accounts for approximately 9.9 per cent of the global gross domestic product.
In addition to “quiet quitting”, there is a third category of employees referred to as “loud quitters”, who constitute 21 percent. These individuals engage in actions that directly harm the organization, opposing its leaders and undermining its goals.
Such behavior indicates a severe breakdown of trust between the employee and employer or a mismatch between the employee and their role, resulting in ongoing crises.
Also Read: Africa’s youth unemployment crisis delaying economic recovery
Anger among most unhappy employees
Consequently, Kenya and the Sub-Saharan region experience the third-highest regional percentage of daily stress and anger among employees. Among the “quiet quitters”, 41 per cent believed that changes in company engagement or culture can improve their workplace.
Additionally, 28 per cent suggested that better pay and benefits would enhance their engagement. Another 16 per cent desired improved wellness options such as reduced overtime, increased remote work opportunities, and access to healthcare.
When compared to global indicators, the employment situation in Kenya shows poor performance. Globally, 23 per cent of individuals are content and thriving in their jobs. And while 59 per cent are practicing quiet quitting, 18 per cent are in the category of “loud quitters”.
The report notes that poor management leads to unsatisfied customers and lost profits, but it also leads to miserable lives.
Wellbeing at workplace
Gallup’s research into wellbeing at work finds that having a job you hate is worse than being unemployed. Every so often, those negative emotions end up at home, impacting employees’ relationships with their family. Overall, if you’re not thriving at work, you’re unlikely to be thriving at life.
This report captures the voice of the world’s employees to help leaders make better decisions. There are some positive trends, but also a lot of work to do. And perhaps this is where policymakers and corporate leaders ought to start.
