Nation In Crisis: 79% Of American Workers Share One Concern That Kills Engagement And Retention

A recent study reveals that American workers are 50% more concerned about the state of their country than their international counterparts, and these shared feelings are believed to be impacting employee well-being and productivity.  

The study, published by meQuilibrium (meQ), reveals that 75.1% of those surveyed feel worse when they think about the state of their nation, with this sentiment being particularly strong among U.S. employees (79.2%) compared to about half (55.1%) of non-U.S. workers. 

This pervasive sense of pessimism is concerning for U.S. employers, with the study revealing over half of U.S. workers, or 51.6%, expect the situation in their country to get worse over the coming months — compared to 33.8% of non-U.S. workers. This difference in outlook is important as it shapes not only employee morale but also their engagement and retention at work.   

The survey found that the top turnover triggers were mental demands (34.6%), compensation (32.9%), and opportunity for growth (31.4%). Respondents also cited stressors including money (45.8%), work (38.7%), and personal relationships (27.5%) as taking a toll — with the technology and communications sectors experiencing a rise in job stress. According to the survey, this is particularly prominent among Gen Z workers, with nearly half reporting high job stress levels. 

Employers should prioritize understanding these factors to mitigate costly turnover rates, and to help support their workforce more effectively. 

As meQ’s study suggests, the rise of workplace pessimism among American workers in particular is likely to persist, if not intensify, in the months ahead. Employers will need to be proactive in addressing these workplace challenges by providing support for mental well-being and by providing opportunities for professional growth.