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Despite U.S. worker productivity growing faster (3.2% rate) than expected in the fourth quarter of 2023, business leaders continue to face challenges – such as the advancement of tech innovations like AI  – that all points to increasing productivity as we close out the first quarter of 2024.  Employers should be investing in their people by offering learning and development opportunities like AI skills training.

So says Dr. Sasha Thackaberry, SVP of Wave and D2L for Business at D2L. Below Dr. Thackaberry discusses the perfect combination of tech and employees.

What challenges do business leaders face when it comes to worker productivity?

The biggest challenge employers face when it comes to worker productivity is low employee engagement. A recent Gallup survey found that in 2023, only 33% of U.S. employees said they were engaged in their work and workplace – down from 40% who said the same in June of 2020. There are multiple contributing factors to this downward trend. Internal organizational issues include unclear expectations, low levels of satisfaction within their organization, and less human connection as reasons for their disengagement. But more personal factors play a role, too – like poor work-life balance, and the lack of clarity about career growth and trajectory. The latter is exacerbated when there's a lack of upskilling or learning opportunities that can help workers see a future for themselves.