The massive shift toward remote work during the pandemic is making it tougher for employees to stay engaged and motivated according to a report by employee assessment firm Questionmark.

Since millions of employees have been working from home, companies are facing significant challenges in maintaining an engaged and motivated workforce. This not only impacts productivity but it also is key to high retention rates. According to research by LinkedIn, 94% of employees are likely to remain with a company
longer if they believe their employer is investing in their career.

Employers also know that an engaged employee is a happy and productive employee. A recent survey noted in the report found that 41% of employees feel their career development has stalled during the first months of the pandemic and 9% believe they have gone backward.

Based on conversations with customers, here are the four common obstacles to
building an engaged and motivated workforce:

1. Lack of career development – people are more likely to move jobs to develop their career than for money. Some 41% believe their careers have stalled in recent months.¹
2. Feeling less valued – managers play a crucial role in encouraging and motivating staff. But when working remotely, they can’t rely on facial cues and body language to check if praise is needed.
3. Disconnected from colleagues – employees miss the social interaction they enjoyed with co-workers. Team spirit can suffer as a result.
4. Uncertainty and anxiety – when workers worry that their job is on the line it increases anxiety and undermines performance. A survey suggests 75% of workers believe that living amidst a pandemic has increased their stress levels.

“Now more than ever, employers need to ensure that they give staff the support they need to perform at their best,” says Questionmark CEO Lars Pedersen. “The ability of employees to adapt to changing circumstances and learn new skills will be at the heart of surviving a period of economic uncertainty.”

“The decisions that employers make around engaging and motivating staff really matter. Data from online staff assessments can give employers the information they need to make good people decisions. Leaders can ensure employees get the support, training and development they need to thrive.”