Gallup - State of the Global Workplace 2026

Gallup’s 2026 report reveals a global workforce grappling with declining optimism, persistent stress, and flatlining engagement. Drawing on surveys across more than 160 countries, the findings show clear and urgent signals — including for Australia.

Global Workforce Trends

Employee engagement remains stuck at 21%, unchanged for another year. Daily stress levels sit at historic highs, and negative emotions continue to rise. Job market confidence has weakened for the second year in a row, even in countries with previously strong employment conditions. The strongest performance drivers remain manager capability, role clarity, and workplace culture.

Australia: Key Findings

Australia mirrors global patterns but shows sharper drops in sentiment:

• 21% engagement, matching the global average and marking a second consecutive year decline. 
• Only 60% believe it’s a good time to find a job — a 12 point drop, one of the steepest worldwide. 
• Daily stress is elevated and comparable to other high income nations. 
• Anger, sadness, and loneliness have all risen year-over-year. 
• Wellbeing is flat; however, it is positive to see that Australia had stronger results across the study, BUT, it is not where it needs to be and we can be doing more.
• Structural issues including workload clarity, manager effectiveness, and burnout risk are shaping the Australian experience of work.

What This Is Saying

Australia’s workforce is under prolonged strain. Engagement is low, optimism is falling, and emotional wellbeing is lagging. Gallup’s message is clear: improving manager capability and addressing burnout drivers are essential if organisations want healthier, higher-performing teams.

How Corporate Dojo Can Assist

Corporate Dojo strengthens the exact capabilities Gallup identifies as critical: leadership quality, clarity, communication, and manager effectiveness. We help leaders build confident, capable, emotionally intelligent teams. 

What we offer:

Foundational leadership training
Practical skills for new and experienced managers: communication, expectation setting, feedback, conflict navigation, and performance conversations.

Manager capability programs
Structured multi-month development that builds leadership habits, emotional intelligence, and the ability to lead with clarity and fairness.

Coaching for leaders at all levels
One-on-one and group coaching that strengthens mindset, confidence, resilience, and decision making — vital for managers supporting stressed or disengaged teams.

Culture and behavioural development
Support to define behavioural standards, reduce workplace friction, and shape cultures that lift engagement.

Practical tools and frameworks
Simple, actionable tools managers can use immediately — especially valuable for overwhelmed or first-time leaders.

Support for tough people challenges
Guidance through issues such as underperformance, conflict, burnout risk, and complex team dynamics.

Psychosocial awareness and support
Helping leaders understand psychosocial obligations and how to proactively support their team’s health and wellbeing.

Leadership keynotes and workshops
High-impact sessions that inspire behavioural change and lift leadership capability across organisations with our Sensei Karen Gately.

At Corporate Dojo, we partner with organisations to build stronger leaders, healthier teams, and workplaces where people can thrive — exactly what Australia needs right now.

To learn more, send an email to sam@corporatedojo.com