What Does Apathy Look Like at Work and How Can You Improve It?

We all know the warning signs of an unhappy employee. They consistently show up late, they complain often and their work performance is lacking. I’ve absolutely seen these behaviors in unhappy employees in the past.

But there’s something much subtler than unhappiness to monitor for in the workplace: apathy.

Apathy at work can be hard to detect. Apathetic employees may have completely lost interest in their jobs, but they still show up on time and do the work – though more often than not it is the bare minimum.

Workplace apathy may look like:

• An employee has low energy and doesn’t show enthusiasm
• They are fine with maintaining the status quo and not trying to achieve more
• They lack the motivation to meet deadlines
• They often appear bored at their desk
• It’s hard for them to focus on tasks
• They start to show a “what’s the point?” attitude about work

If any of your team members are showing these warning signs, there are a few ways to improve apathy. These are:

1. Improve internal communication and collaboration among team members 
2. Hold more meetings or check-ins to gauge how employees are feeling 
3. Focus on employee engagement strategies
4. Recognize employees regularly for accomplishments
5. Invest in benefits and perks that support workers
6. Create professional development goals for employees

Employee engagement is the key to eliminating apathy in the workplace. One way to start: improve your entire Human Resources function. 

With StaffLink Outsourcing, I’m focused on helping businesses improve the way they support their employees with access to better tools and techniques for benefits administration, payroll management and much more. 

Get in touch with me to learn more.

Sincerely,

Heather