South African employees are increasingly “checking out” at work, with new findings showing that employee engagement in the country has fallen below the global average amid growing economic pressures and workplace uncertainty.
According to the State of the Global Workplace 2026 report released by Gallup in April, only 18% of South African employees are engaged at work, below the global average of 20%, which itself marks the lowest level recorded in recent years and the first decline in employee engagement for two consecutive years.
The findings suggest that a significant number of South Africans are going through the motions in their workplaces, showing up but doing the bare minimum, with little enthusiasm, motivation or connection to their jobs or employers.
Advaita Naidoo, Africa managing director at Jack Hammer, Africa’s largest executive search firm, says the report should serve as a wake-up call for business leaders.
“With energy prices continuing to rise sharply, high cost-of-living pressures squeezing household budgets, persistent economic uncertainty, and concerns about the impact of AI on jobs, most local workplaces and employees are feeling the strain,” says Naidoo.
