Vietnamese workers among Southeast Asia’s least engaged despite high optimism: Gallup

The report by the U.S.-based analytics and advisory firm surveyed workers in more than 140 countries and found that 59 percent of the Vietnamese employees viewed their current and future lives positively enough to be classified as 'thriving.'

The figure was higher than in Thailand, where the rate stood at 41 percent, and Singapore at 40 percent, the report said.

Gallup also found the Vietnamese workers were among the least likely in the region to experience daily negative emotions such as anger or loneliness.

However, only nine percent of the employees in Vietnam said they felt engaged at work, meaning they had a strong psychological commitment to their organization. 

That was the lowest level in Southeast Asia and well below the regional average of 25 percent, according to the report.

Gallup estimated that low employee engagement cost Vietnam the equivalent of about 12.6 percent of gross domestic product each year because of reduced productivity, inefficient work processes, and high staff turnover.

The report said weak management quality was a key factor behind low workplace engagement.

Employees were more likely to remain committed when they could see career prospects within an organization, clearly understood job expectations, had opportunities to use their abilities, received fair recognition, and were supported in their professional development, Gallup said.

The report added that direct managers played a central role in meeting those needs and improving employee performance.

In Vietnam, younger managers are taking on leadership roles earlier amid workforce reductions and hiring shifts, while often lacking support networks and management training, according to the report.

Gallup said Vietnam's relatively high level of life satisfaction could provide a favorable foundation for companies to improve employee engagement through stronger management selection, staff development training, and more systematic measurement of employee experience.