Language Training Can Save You in Employee Disengagement Costs

The last few years have been a wild ride for corporate America. First, there was quiet quitting, the Great Resignation, and then mass layoffs. Post-Covid corporate America still hasn’t gotten “back to normal,” and a new season of employee disengagement is proof of that.  

According to a recent poll from Gallup, disengaged employees cost US employers over $1.9 TRILLION in 2023. Not billion, trillion. If we scan out and see that number globally, it balloons to $8.8 trillion. That’s a huge impact on revenue, stock prices, and the overall financial health of an entire country.  

What’s the real reason for employees checking out of their day jobs while still collecting a paycheck? There are several reasons, but they all stem from the same place: reduced satisfaction with their employer and feeling like they don’t have a clear growth path. Gone are the days of offering a salary and 401(k) and assuming that employees should feel thankful for even having a job. That thinking is what’s costing trillions in lost productivity.  

As it stands today, people are less inclined to leave their jobs in pursuit of a new organization that may be better aligned with their personal philosophy. So, instead of job hopping, they’re showing up to their current roles and giving the bare minimum. It’s not good for you or them. The same research from Gallup indicates that 1 in 2 US employees would leave their jobs if presented with a better opportunity. The cost of disengagement is already through the roof, but the cost of recruiting and onboarding new talent increases the upfront investment of every employee exponentially.  

If you’re worried that you may have team members who may not be fully engaged in their roles, this article is for you. There’s a straightforward remedy, and it may not be what you think it is.  

Your organization needs language and cultural training. Here’s why.  

1. Investing in your employees makes them stay in their roles longer. If you signal to your workforce that you’re invested in their long-term growth and learning, they’re more willing to go above and beyond their job description. With language training, you’re opening up a new world of internal promotions, increased camaraderie between colleagues, and giving people a chance to learn something that will enhance their lives– not just at work. Learning a new skill reinvigorates their day-to-day, and that excitement and self-fulfillment is good for them, for your organization, and their colleagues.  
2. Language and cultural training create and foster a sense of belonging. Especially since people work remotely, being intentional about human connection matters a lot to your workforce. They want to be able to talk to their colleagues around the world, and being able to talk authentically through language is the only way to do that. Employers no longer have the luxury of assuming everyone speaks English. Imagine having a Spanish-speaking employee who can run a meeting in their native language because they know a room of their peers understands them. That employee is significantly more likely to stay in their role because they feel understood and respected. 
3. Gen Z demands it. The future of work is riding on the backs of a younger generation who largely values learning and connection above just a paycheck. They want to be seen, heard, and appreciated for who they are. By offering language and cultural training, your organization is better positioned to attract new workers. They value interpersonal relationships and authenticity, and language learning offers both.  

In 2022, the top reasons employees disconnected from their day-to-day jobs included reasons like poor benefits, lack of career advancement, and not being treated with respect. The modern American worker knows their value and worth and doesn’t want to be seen as a cog in a wheel. Invest in your workforce by giving them meaningful ways to learn new skills.  

If you’re interested in learning more about how language tutoring can improve your organization and workforce health, let’s chat. We’d love to show you how we help multinational organizations engage, retain, and hire the best talent.  

Written by Patricia Diaz, VP of Marketing.