A classic indicator of workplace boredomA correlation has emerged in comparisons between an employee’s occupation and engagement level.

A Gallup survey has found management-level employees and executives are most engaged in their jobs, and the onus is on them to keep lower-level workers thoroughly engaged.

“Used conscientiously, these data can help leaders make diversity a source of strength – rather than division – in their workplaces,” Susan Sorenson and Keri Garman of Gallup wrote in the research paper, “Gallup finds that managers continue to be the most powerful influence on workers’ engagement levels, so investing in manager engagement tends to boost employee engagement – and this could be particularly helpful in manufacturing and production environments."

Service workers have apparently experienced the largest drop in work engagement, losing three points from 32 per cent to 29 per cent in 2012. Gallup researchers suggest this may have been prompted by a flattening-out of consumer spending leading to fewer opportunities for growth.

With many of the less-engaged employees taking on roles where they deal directly with clients or the public, keeping a good face is immeasurably important.

The researchers say while it may seem futile for workers who simply do not want to be there, something can always be done through “persistent, targeted attention on engagement at the enterprise and workgroup levels can lead to growth, no matter what business a business is in,” according to Sorenson and Garman.

Gallup's meta-analysis of 1.4 million employees is available online.