Employee engagement in Bangor mirrors broader state and national trends, with a significant portion of the workforce either not engaged or actively disengaged at work. This disengagement is having major financial and cultural impacts on the local economy and institutions.
Employee engagement refers to the emotional commitment an employee has toward their work, their organization’s goals, and its values. Engaged employees don’t just show up—they care about their work, go the extra mile, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Key Data Points
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Bangor’s Labor Force: ~69,000 workers
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Engagement Breakdown (based on Gallup + Maine data):
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Engaged: 31.5% (~21,735 people)
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Not engaged (passively disengaged): 52% (~35,880 people)
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Actively disengaged: 16.5% (~11,385 people)
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Average Salary in Bangor: ~$51,000/year
💸 Estimated Financial Cost
Using Gallup’s standard productivity loss figures:
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Actively disengaged: $104.5 million/year
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Not engaged: $183 million/year
➡️ Total Estimated Cost: ~$287.5 million/year
🏥 Sector Examples
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Healthcare:
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PCHC reported a $3.9M deficit in 2022, linked to staff and engagement issues post-COVID.
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Public Safety:
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Bangor Fire Department faced staffing shortages, overtime burnout, and morale decline—despite recent pay raises.
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🎭 Cultural Costs
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Decreased morale and increased burnout, especially in public service sectors
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Reduced quality and reliability of essential services (e.g., healthcare, emergency response)
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Difficulty attracting and retaining talent, even with wage increases
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Community-level stress and erosion of institutional trust
🧭 Living Wage Context
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MIT’s Living Wage for Penobscot County (2025): ~$14.65/hr
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True Living Standard Estimate (Q106.5): ~$60,862/year for one adult
✅ Conclusion
The employee engagement crisis in Bangor is a multimillion-dollar problem with deep roots in wage gaps, staffing shortages, burnout, and systemic disengagement. It’s not just a business problem—it’s a community-wide issue affecting public health, safety, and well-being.
