Workforce Confidence Index · Wave 10 · Executive Summary Preview
Confidence Rebounds Across the U.S. Workforce
Fieldwork: May 1 – May 31, 2026
Job security
52%
Feel very or completely secure in their current role
Career movement
36%
Job hunting, likely to look soon, or considering a move within 12 months (↑ from 31% in April)
Industry outlook
36%
Very or extremely confident in industry economic outlook (rebounded after softening in April)
Industries represented
20+
Architecture, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, logistics, and more
Wave 10 findings
Overall workforce confidence rebounded in May, with more workers expressing strong optimism about the year ahead after sentiment softened in April.
Economic slowdown, inflation, tariffs, geopolitical instability, and policy uncertainty remain major concerns across industries.
AI and automation emerged as the dominant concern in open-ended responses, especially around layoffs, restructuring, and long-term workforce disruption.
Leadership confidence remained strongest closest to day-to-day operations, with direct managers (62%) and team leads (61%) receiving the highest confidence scores.
Trust in federal policy support and regulatory transparency remained limited, while company leadership and trade associations continued to lead in credibility; confidence in government improved modestly.
Institutional trust
Company leadership
Trade associations
Federal government
Participants
Wave 10 included feedback from 578 professionals across more than 20 industries in the United States, spanning leadership, management, technical, skilled-trade, sales, and administrative roles.
Why it matters
Workforce sentiment often shifts before business behavior does. Monitoring confidence, institutional trust, and career outlooks over time helps organizations better understand emerging risks, workforce stability, leadership credibility, and economic pressure points shaping future decision-making.
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