What mentorship looks like in the disconnected era

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Can mentorship make or break a new employee’s experience on the job?

Mentors can show them the ropes, answer their questions, and in the long term, guide them towards a long, healthy and rewarding career at the organization — especially important in an era of disengagement at work.

And right now, workers may not feel particularly connected with their peers. According to the Achievers Workforce Institute’s (AWI) 2026 Engagement and Retention Report, only 21% of employees say they can access the people they need to be productive, and only 20% believe company communications help keep them informed and connected.

While that responsibility doesn’t entirely fall on the shoulders of mentors, they can make a difference. AWI also found that employees with strong peer connections are 4.7 times more likely to feel engaged and 3.3 times more likely to find work more meaningful.