Only 4% of Employees are Thriving* at Work—Are Yours?

Jan 5

Did you know that only 4% of employees are truly thriving at work? In today’s job market, that reality makes it harder than ever for leaders—not just to attract top talent, but to keep it.

Employees who feel disengaged aren’t just less productive—they’re also more likely to leave, leading to higher turnover costs, declining morale, and a weaker culture.

But here’s the good news: thriving at work is not a mystery. With the right approach, leaders can create environments where employees feel engaged, appreciated, and empowered. The path forward begins by exploring what thriving looks like, why it’s so rare, and how your company can create more of it.

What Does It Mean to Thrive at Work?

Thriving at work is about more than just showing up and completing tasks. It’s about employees feeling energized, valued, and empowered to contribute to their team.

When employees thrive, they:

Feel engaged in their work.
Know their contributions are appreciated.
Feel empowered to innovate and take ownership.

Unfortunately, most employees aren’t thriving—they’re simply surviving. They go through the motions, often due to lack of recognition, unclear expectations, outdated office environments, or weak collaboration. The reality is that 96% of employees aren’t thriving, which makes this a widespread, systemic challenge—not just an individual problem.

Why Investing in Your Employees Pays Off

When employees thrive, businesses thrive. The benefits ripple across the organization:

Retention & Recruitment: Thriving workplaces hold onto top performers and attract talent more easily.
Collaboration & Innovation: Engaged employees are more willing to share ideas and work together.
Pride & Advocacy: People who love where they work become ambassadors for your brand.
Productivity: Energized employees produce better work and achieve more.

When employees feel valued, they don’t just work harder, they work smarter. That kind of momentum drives both culture and the bottom line.

How Leaders Can Create Thriving Workplaces

Here are four proven strategies to pursue:

Listen to your employees. Regular surveys and feedback loops show employees their voices matter.
Design supportive spaces. Comfortable, collaborative environments fuel energy and creativity.
Recognize contributions. Simple acts of acknowledgment build morale and loyalty.
Empower autonomy. Trusting employees to own their work builds confidence and engagement.

Fostering a thriving workplace begins here., and Project Thrive gives leaders the insights and tools to make it happen.

We Help People Thrive at Work

At Rieke Interiors, we use our Workpulse Survey to begin the process of improving your workplace. The foundation of Project Thrive is our Workpulse Survey©, an anonymous six-question survey programmed to reveal how employees truly feel about their environment. Anonymity allows your team to feel that they can be candid in their answers without fearing repercussions.

This isn’t just another employee satisfaction survey. The Workpulse Survey© zeroes in on the in-office experience, helping leaders understand how to:

Improve retention and attract top talent.
Create a more collaborative culture.
Instill pride and engagement.
Ensure employees enjoy their workspace.

Ready to Learn More?

Right now, only 4% of employees are thriving. But as a leader, you have the power to change that for your company. Thriving employees drive retention, collaboration, pride, and productivity. It starts with understanding what your team truly needs.

Ready to see how your team can thrive? Contact us today to run your Workpulse Survey© and uncover the insights to energize your workplace.