2024 Employee Outlook in Manufacturing

Company forecasts and the employee outlook on 2024 performance are optimistic. But the employee mood is trending in the opposite direction.

There is a surprising reality of the manufacturing sector in 2024 that may shock many employers. Our latest infographic, “The Sky Isn’t Falling in Manufacturing, but Beware of the Workforce Fall Out!”, sheds light on an interesting disconnect between 2024 financial performance and employee satisfaction.

Key Findings:

68% of companies forecast growth in 2024.
65% of employees anticipate company growth.
71% of employees feel leaders communicate monthly or quarterly.

Employers Beware! The final poll result uncovers a surprising revelation about employee satisfaction.

Download the infographic to discover the outlier of our 2024 performance poll and what employers can do to drive positive change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 2024 employee outlook reveal about manufacturing performance and workforce sentiment?

The 2024 employee outlook reveals a disconnect between company performance expectations and employee sentiment. While 68% of companies forecast growth in 2024 and 65% of employees agree that growth is likely, employee mood is trending in the opposite direction. Despite positive financial outlooks, a significant portion of the workforce reports dissatisfaction, signaling a potential risk that strong performance alone may not be enough to retain employees.

How does leadership communication impact employee perception and retention?

Leadership communication plays a major role in shaping employee perception and engagement. Although 71% of employees report that leaders communicate company performance monthly or quarterly, nearly 30% say performance updates are shared only annually or not at all. Infrequent communication can weaken trust, negatively influence culture, and increase the likelihood of employee attrition—even in organizations with strong growth prospects.

Why should manufacturers be concerned about employee satisfaction in 2024?

Manufacturers should be concerned because 63% of surveyed employees report negative satisfaction despite optimistic growth forecasts. This finding highlights that culture and employee experience are not automatically improved by positive financial results. Without intentional leadership focus on engagement, communication, and change management, negative sentiment can begin to affect performance, retention, and long‑term organizational stability.

Meet the Expert

Shannon Gabriel

Vice President, Leadership Solutions PracticeEmail Shannon

Shannon Gabriel is Vice President of TBM’s Leadership Solutions practice where she leads the organization’s comprehensive approach to labor strategy, change management and leadership development that impact top-line growth and improve organizational culture.