Work engagement programmes gave a small boost to engagement.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   The 14 studies in the main analysis had 3,692 workers, and the average ages ranged from about 27 to 61. The workers came from many countries and jobs, such as police, nursing, construction and office work.

2. 02

   What they did

   Programmes tried to build people's own strengths, change their jobs, train managers or improve health. Most were group sessions, and some were one-to-one or online. The other groups had no programme or a similar class.

3. 03

   What happened

   Work engagement rose a little more in the programme groups than in the other groups. Vigour, dedication and absorption rose more too, though the text and tables give different study counts for them. All studies were at high risk of bias, and it is unclear whether the gains lasted.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Across 14 studies, people in these programmes felt more engaged with their work than the other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 14 studies with 3,692 people · vs groups with no programme or a similar class · they rated themselves · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. Helped

   Across 11 studies, people in these programmes reported more energy at work than the other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 11 studies with 1,501 people · vs groups with no programme or a similar class · they rated themselves · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. Helped

   Across 10 studies, people in these programmes felt more dedicated to their work than the other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 10 studies with 946 people · vs groups with no programme or a similar class · they rated themselves · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

4. Helped

   Across 7 studies, people in these programmes said they were more absorbed in their work than the other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 7 studies with 732 people · vs groups with no programme or a similar class · they rated themselves · ⚠ most studies had serious flaws; the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source