India Workplace Trends: Rising Disengagement Amidst the Spread of ‘Quiet Quitting’
Workplace dynamics are undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from the trend of “quiet quitting” to what is now being termed “job hugging.” According to Gallup’s recently released State of the Global Workplace 2026 report, employee engagement is on the decline worldwide, with South Asia, particularly India, experiencing the most pronounced drop. The report highlights a concerning trend where fewer employees feel connected to their work, leading to increased feelings of sadness and disengagement.
Declining Engagement Trends in South Asia
The Gallup report reveals a troubling decline in employee engagement across 160 countries, marking the second consecutive year of decreasing morale. South Asia stands out with the steepest drop in engagement levels globally. The region also has the lowest percentage of employees who identify as “thriving,” coupled with the highest levels of daily sadness. This decline in engagement is particularly alarming as it reflects a broader trend of employees feeling disconnected from their work and organizations.
In India, the report presents a mixed picture. While the percentage of actively disengaged employees has decreased over the past 15 years, recent data indicates a reversal in overall engagement levels. This shift suggests that the phenomenon of quiet quitting—where employees fulfill their basic job requirements without going above and beyond—has become more prevalent. Managers are also experiencing a decline in engagement, which raises questions about the overall health of workplace environments in the country.
Shifts in Employee Well-Being
The report defines workplace engagement as the psychological connection employees have with their work, teams, and organizations. This connection is assessed through various parameters, including recognition, support for development, and opportunities for learning. The findings indicate that the decline in engagement is not primarily due to actively disengaged workers but rather a growing number of employees who fall into the “not engaged” category, often referred to as quiet quitters.
Quiet quitting is characterized by employees who do the bare minimum required of them, lacking any emotional investment in their organization’s mission or goals. In contrast, actively disengaged employees are those who are openly dissatisfied and may even work against their organization. This distinction is crucial, as the report emphasizes that low engagement levels can have broader economic implications, leading to less profitable organizations and ultimately hindering economic growth.
Manager Engagement and Its Implications
The report also highlights a significant decline in manager engagement, which dropped from 39% in 2022-24 to just 30% in 2023-25. This sharp decline raises concerns about the ability of managers to foster an engaging work environment for their teams. Puneet Singh, Regional Director for Research and Analytics at Gallup, pointed out that the challenge of finding talented managers who can effectively engage their teams is a global issue.
The report underscores the importance of engagement at the team level, noting that employees who are not engaged or actively disengaged contribute to less profitable organizations. This trend can have a cascading effect on economic growth, as organizations with low engagement levels are less likely to thrive. The findings serve as a wake-up call for businesses to prioritize employee engagement and well-being to enhance productivity and overall organizational success.
Worsening Emotional Well-Being in India
Beyond engagement, the report sheds light on the deteriorating emotional well-being of employees in South Asia. Only 16% of respondents in the region reported feeling “thriving,” significantly lower than the global average of 34%. Additionally, South Asia recorded the highest levels of daily sadness at 36%, compared to 23% globally, and higher anger levels at 31%, versus 22% globally.
In India, emotional stress indicators have worsened over time. Reports of anger among employees increased from 28% in 2008-10 to 34% in 2022-24, while feelings of sadness rose from 24% to 39% during the same period. The 2025 data indicates that 31% of respondents reported feeling angry, and 36% reported feeling sad, based on a three-year rolling average. These statistics highlight the urgent need for organizations to address employee well-being and create a more supportive work environment.
The Gallup report is based on extensive global surveys conducted since 2005, utilizing randomly selected adult samples. The 2025 dataset includes responses from over 141,000 employed individuals worldwide, with a sample size of 3,095 respondents from India for the 2023-25 rolling period.
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