Retention is Rising – But Engagement is Crashing
In our last blog, we flagged a growing paradox in the Australian workforce – and the latest 2025 data confirms it: employee retention is up, but engagement and workplace happiness are sinking fast.
According to a recent study by Deloitte of over 2,000 Australian employees and HR leaders, some worrying trends have emerged:
🔻 Engagement is at an all-time low
🤯 Managers are under pressure as performance drops
🙌 Recognition and work-life balance are the top drivers of employee happiness
So what’s really happening? The tough job market is keeping people in their roles – not because they’re happy, but because it feels too risky to leave. For businesses, this hidden disengagement shows up in increased levels of sick leave, lower productivity, and poorer customer experiences – right when margins are tight and competition is fierce.
While no single tool can fix the problem, recognition platforms like Brownie Points can be a powerful weapon in your retention and engagement toolkit. When employees feel valued and connected to your mission, they’re less likely to check out – emotionally or literally.
Do your people feel seen, supported and inspired?
If you don’t have a clear engagement strategy in place, your business could be vulnerable when the talent market turns.
Tony Delaney, CEO, Brownie Points
