A silent risk is emerging for companies, threatening motivation, productivity, and talent retention, as reported by Adecco Portugal, citing workplace boredom as the underlying issue.
One in four employees has experienced boredom at work. For 40% of professionals, this feeling is sufficient cause to leave their current position. These findings, shared by Adecco, highlight a growing management risk: how to prevent lack of stimulation from transforming into demotivation and ultimately, talent loss?
This concern is particularly relevant among younger generations, who value not only salary and career progression but also purpose and emotional balance in the workplace.
“This is a silent phenomenon, not creating noise but eroding motivation internally. Boredom is a real wear factor, and companies should act preventively to avoid losing qualified talent,” states Alexandra Andrade, Country Manager of Adecco Portugal.
Countering this trend: what can companies do?
Faced with this threat, Adecco suggests “a set of practical strategies, ranging from occasional changes in the work environment to greater openness in dialogue between leaders and teams.” The proposed measures include:
- Alter the work environment: introduce variation, such as the option to work once a week in a coworking space or café.
- Promote continuous learning: invest in short courses or encourage knowledge sharing among colleagues.
- Enhance responsibilities: assign tasks that challenge skills and give meaning to work.
- Encourage breaks and relaxation moments: simple activities like music, team games, or wellness programs can directly impact motivation.
- Value mental health: practices like meditation, physical exercise, or increased social contact help prevent emotional burnout.
- Foster open communication: create opportunities for employees to express feelings of stagnation and seek solutions with leadership.
- Focus on the new retention metric.
“Adecco’s alert comes at a time when companies face increasing pressure to retain skilled talent. Demotivation doesn’t always manifest as visible performance declines; often, it results in a slow erosion of the emotional connection to work, leading to a silent exit,” the human resources company notes.
Moreover, it is noted that “in a people-oriented market, the ability of organizations to recognize and respond to these signs can become a critical management metric: the difference between retaining talent or letting it slip away unnoticed.”
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Notícias ao Minuto | 08:24 – 06/08/2025
