Why employees in Kazakhstan lack pride and what businesses can do about it
Do your high-paid friends who receive decent company benefits often speak about their job with pride? Or do they just limit their sentiments to statements like «It’s a lot of work» or even «I am fed up with this job”? My 10 years of experience in corporate culture have shown that the majority of our fellow Kazakhstanis do not view their jobs as sources of pride, but rather as forced obligations. Why does it end up this way? And why is this an issue not only for individuals but for entire companies and sectors?
The reason labor doesn’t bring joy to Kazakhstanis
Many Kazakhstanis work without initiative, engagement or a spark in their eyes — not because they are lazy, but because they receive little to no recognition, see no meaning in their jobs and lack opportunities for growth.
According to the Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2023* report, only 23% of employees worldwide are truly engaged in their work. In CIS member states, this figure is even lower. Gallup estimates that low engagement results in annual business losses of $8.8 trillion — or 9% of the global GDP.
Why Kazakhstanis do not speak with pride about their jobs
When I run training courses in Kazakhstani companies, I often observe a sense of embarrassment when professionals describe their value to the company — even among highly competent specialists. This is connected to several factors:
- Occupational devaluation. In public opinion, an “office worker» is often equated with an «idler,» while «manager» is perhaps seen as a curse word. This explains the reluctance to speak about office routines.
- Lack of a recognition culture. It is not common to hear a sincere «thank you» from a boss or company owner — or to receive praise for high-quality work.
- Legacy of survival. The generation over 30 associates work not with personal fulfillment but with survival. Getting paid — that’s the priority. Moreover, very few people see a job as a source of personal development or joy.
On top of this lies a general lack of confidence in the future. What’s the point of taking pride in your job if everything can change overnight?
Impact on business when employees lack pride in their jobs
When employees are not proud of their jobs, it leads to:
— A drop in engagement, which in turn lowers productivity. Productivity in Kazakhstan is several times lower than in OECD countries.
— Employees not recommending the company to others, which damages the employer brand.
— Employees not sharing work-related content on social media, meaning the company loses a valuable and free promotional channel.
A company could spend millions on advertising, but if its own employees don’t want to say, «I’m proud to work here,» that’s money burned.
What businesses should do
Adjusting society’s attitude toward various professions is not a business owner’s job — it’s the government’s responsibility, particularly its ideologists.
However, every business owner can and must work on corporate culture. The first thing one can begin with is giving employees a sense of importance. People want to know how their labor influences others.
This is especially important for young people (Gen Z), who value meaning more than status. According to the Deloitte Gen Z and Millennials Survey 2024*, 44% of young employees left their jobs due to a disconnect in values.
The second must-have for any contemporary manager is the skill to express gratitude. Intrinsic reward, open appreciation and sharing employees’ successes with the personnel lay the foundation for engagement.
The third is delegation. If a manager sets inspiring goals and doesn’t restrict the means of achieving them (excluding actions prohibited by the Criminal Code), the employee will complete the task with great enthusiasm and want to take pride in the result.
*Research mentioned:
